Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed US President Donald Trump, who arrived for the NATO summit, with great pomp and numerous symbols. Trump stepped off into an official welcoming ceremony at the newly opened Ankara airport, inaugurated specifically for his arrival and the NATO summit. Breaking away from traditional protocol rules, Erdogan met Trump right at the airport. The Turkish and global media also learned from Trump's statements that the Turkish President had named one of the buildings at the new airport after the US President.
After Erdogan took Trump's arm to strike sincere poses for his populist base, and after Trump showed Erdogan the $800 million plane gifted by Qatar, the duo proceeded to the Bestepe Palace. They traveled through the empty streets of Ankara—newly renovated, adorned with flowers and decorations, its flaws hidden under covers bearing the NATO logo, and closed to public movement while state officials were sent on holiday. Trump also expressed at the press conference that he very much liked the roads renovated in his honor (TRT Haber, 2026).
At the Turkish President's residence, the Bestepe Complex, which had been a subject of controversy for many months, abundant historical symbolism and grandeur awaited Trump as well. While the famous Turkish Stars drew the US flag in the sky, the Mounted Ceremonial Unit of the Presidential Guard Regiment—seen at high-level ceremonies—was lined up on one side, and soldiers in Janissary uniforms, military symbols of the Ottoman Empire, were lined up on the other to welcome the US President. Later, Trump walked up the stairs where soldiers wearing the attire and holding the flags of 16 Turkic states were arrayed, and with his statements, he delivered the strongest show of support to date for Erdogan's decades-long authoritarian regime. The Turkish President managed to obtain not just lavish praise from Trump, but also crucial promises that he could vocally utilize in domestic and foreign policy. For Erdogan, this was the most important outcome of the NATO summit he had been preparing for over the course of months…
The Language of Love - Obedience
It is no longer a secret to anyone that Donald Trump has a special relationship with Erdogan, and that the US President rewards his Turkish counterpart with expressions like "he is a tough guy, but I like him," "he is a strong leader, he strengthens his country," and "I respect him," while humiliating European leaders at every opportunity. Trump continued these praises in Ankara: "Our chemistry with Erdogan matched, he is a very good leader, we are very good friends," he said. He stated that he came to the NATO summit precisely for Erdogan's sake. While demeaning the European leaders who did not support him in the Iran war, he rewarded the Turkish President with praise against their backdrop.
The reason for this generosity was again found between the lines of Trump's statements. While showering Erdogan with praise, the US President repeatedly brought loyalty to the forefront—with sentences like "This man listens to me," "He listened to me on the Iran issue," and "Türkiye is a very loyal ally," specifically noting that Erdogan is a partner who does not cause him problems. The US President had previously stated that Erdogan listened to his word on the Iran issue. This time, however, he expressed more openly that the root of his love for Erdogan is precisely the Turkish President's refusal to oppose him: "You know there was a Pastor Brunson incident, it was a traumatic incident. He was facing a long prison sentence. I thought he was innocent. A lot of people called, there was no result. I called the President and he released him immediately. I will never forget this" (TRT Haber, 2026).
These sentences, which seem like praise at first glance, actually point to a traumatic event for the Turkish government. The American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who had been operating in Izmir for many years, was detained in Türkiye after the 2016 coup attempt and was charged with having ties to FETÖ and the PKK, as well as espionage. Remaining in prison for more than 20 months, Brunson denied the allegations (Reuters, 2018a). Then-US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence demanded Brunson's release from Türkiye; when this demand was not met, the US imposed sanctions on Türkiye's Ministers of Justice and Interior in the summer of 2018. Later, it increased tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Türkiye (Reuters, 2018b). Although Erdogan challenged Trump in the early days of the crisis by saying, "As long as this servant [of God] is in power, you cannot get that terrorist" (IHA, 2018), 10 months later a Turkish court sentenced Brunson to only 3 years, 1 month, and 15 days, counted it as time served, and the American pastor returned to America (AA, 2018). The reason for this decision, made after immense tension and defiance, was explained by Trump exactly a year later, in 2019, in his humiliating Syria letter to Erdogan, which was released by the White House, with these words: "Let's work out a good deal! You don't want to be responsible for slaughtering thousands of people, and I don't want to be responsible for destroying the Turkish economy—and I will. I've already given you a little sample with respect to Pastor Brunson… I have worked hard to solve some of your problems. Don't let the world down. You can make a great deal. General Mazloum is willing to negotiate with you, and he is willing to make concessions that they would never have made in the past…. If you get this done the right and humane way, history will look favorably upon you. If good things don't happen, history will look upon you forever as the devil. Don't be a tough guy. Don't be a fool!" (PBS, 2019).
Despite the fact that Trump began to demonstrate his language of humiliation and threats toward many countries and leaders after 2025, he consistently behaved respectfully toward Erdogan this time. The reason was clear—as Trump himself stated—Erdogan is more loyal and obedient to him than he thinks…
Gifts and Realities
Before coming to Türkiye, Trump had said he would have a gift for Erdogan. In Ankara, however, he announced two "gifts." The first of these is the issue of lifting the ban on the sale of F-35 jets to Türkiye, and the other is the repeal of the CAATSA sanctions, which are one of the biggest obstacles to the development of the Turkish military industry. Trump gave the green light on both issues, saying, "We shouldn't impose sanctions on our friends." When journalists reminded him that the F-35 and CAATSA sanctions were tied to the status of the S-400 systems Türkiye bought from Russia, he responded, "I don't have any concerns regarding Türkiye." Erdogan, recalling that the US President had promised the sale of 5 F-35s, tried to secure the agreement by stating, "I know that the honorable Trump always keeps his promises" (Reuters, 2026). Türkiye has paid the money (1.4 billion dollars) for the 5 F-35s mentioned by Erdogan, but was unable to receive the jets because it was removed from the international consortium following the sanctions.
However, despite these statements by Trump and Erdogan creating a festive atmosphere in Ankara, overcoming the F-35 and CAATSA problem with a single sentence is not that easy. Because both issues depend on the condition of Türkiye making a decision regarding the S-400s in its possession. In order to escape the sanctions and rejoin the F-35 program, Türkiye must not operate or retain the S-400 air defense systems it purchased from Russia. The US administration and Ankara have long been trying to find a common solution regarding the S-400 systems. Various scenarios are being voiced in this regard—joint control of the system with the US, rendering the S-400 system unusable, transferring them to a third country, etc. However, it has still not been possible to reach an agreement on this issue (Khar Center, 2025, Reuters, 2026).
Although Trump has the authority to make a decision to repeal the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), there is also an obligation to provide a guarantee on behalf of Türkiye. Thus, the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) passed in 2021 gives the president the authority to waive CAATSA. But for this to happen, Trump must provide a guarantee to Congress on behalf of Türkiye that the S-400s will be eliminated and that similar systems will not be purchased from Russia again (Congress.gov, 2021). The US administration has been working for a considerable time to easily overcome the Congressional hurdle. Last month, US Vice President JD Vance announced that Pentagon officials, under the leadership of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, were investigating whether Türkiye had met the legal criteria set by the US to receive the F-35s. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close friend of Trump, stated on the day Trump arrived in Ankara that the move to repeal CAATSA could face resistance in Congress. In particular, he indicated that Türkiye's tense relations with Israel would obstruct this decision in Congress (Al Monitor, 2026). CAATSA not only prevents Türkiye from purchasing F-35s but also impedes the development of crucial defense industry projects, including the export license for the US-made jet engines needed for the fifth-generation KAAN fighters that Türkiye is trying to produce itself. Trump's statement in Ankara indicates that a political decision has been made to remove these obstacles. However, a political decision does not yet mean that the procedures will be completed soon.
In Lieu of a Conclusion - Erdogan's Baggage of Legitimacy
Undoubtedly, the realization of the promises Trump made in Ankara would be an indispensable diplomatic success for Erdogan. Developments such as the repeal of CAATSA sanctions, paving the way for F-35 sales, starting engine procurement for the domestic fighter jet, and Türkiye's defense industry attaining global capabilities would propel Ankara far ahead of its current status. But even if these promises are not fulfilled—even if they get caught up in procedures, US laws, Congressional resistance, or objections from Israel, Greece, and Southern Cyprus—Trump's visit gave Erdogan the most crucial gift he needed. The name of this gift is international and domestic legitimacy. By praising Erdogan with terms like "strong leader," "very good friend," and "loyal ally," Trump did not merely show that he had his back on the international platform; at the same time, he demonstrated his support for the legitimacy of the authoritarian governance model that has been forming in Türkiye for years and has become particularly rigid in the last few years.
Despite glaring "hot facts" on the eve of the NATO summit, such as total arrests, repressions, the discrediting campaign against the opposition, and the distancing of independent media even from the vicinity of the NATO summit, all of these were overshadowed by the loyalty and obedience behind Erdogan's authoritarian hospitality. In a period when the economic crisis in the country is deepening, when it is impossible to stifle public discontent, and when election discussions have begun, this visit is a valuable baggage of legitimacy for Erdogan to utilize in domestic politics.
Note: The article you have read was originally written in the Azerbaijani language. Artificial intelligence tools were used only in the translation.
REFERENCES
TRT Haber, 2026. Trump: Sayın Erdoğan olmasaydı NATO zirvesine katılmazdım.
Reuters, 2018 a. U.S. Christian pastor leaves Turkish prison after court ruling. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us-christian-pastor-leaves-turkish-prison-after-court-ruling-idUSKBN1KF1NS/?
Reuters, 2018 b. Erdogan says U.S. set deadline for pastor's release. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/erdogan-says-us-set-deadline-for-pastors-release-idUSKBN1KX0LC/
İHA, 2018. Erdoğan resti çekti! 'Ya bu ülkeyi terk edersiniz ya da...'
https://www.iha.com.tr/haber-erdogan-resti-cekti-ya-bu-ulkeyi-terk-edersiniz-ya-da-702899
AA, 2018. Turkich court releases us Pastor Andrew Brunson. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkish-court-releases-us-pastor-andrew-brunson/1280103?
PBS, 2019.Read Trump's full letter to Turkey's Erdogan: 'Don't be a tough guy. Don't be a fool!'. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/read-trumps-full-letter-to-turkeys-erdogan-dont-be-a-tough-guy-dont-be-a-fool?
Reuters, 2026. Trump says U.S. will lift sanctions on Turkey, heaps praise on Erdogan. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-expected-tell-turkey-he-is-ready-restore-access-f-35-jets-nyt-reports-2026-07-07/
Khar Center, 2025. Strateji muxtariyyətin paradoksu: KAAN layihəsi– Türkiyənin müdafiə sənayesi modelinin məhdudiyyətləri. https://kharcenter.com/arasdirmalar/strateji-muxtariyyetin-paradoksu-kaan-layihesi-turkiyenin-mudafie-senayesi-modelinin-mehdudiyyetleri
Congress.gov, 2021. William M. (MAC) Thornberry National Defense Authorizartion Act For Fiscal Year 2021, sec 1241. https://www.congress.gov/116/plaws/publ283/PLAW-116publ283.pdf.
Al Monitor, 2026. Trump says US will lift CAATSA sanctions on Turkey, consider F-35 sale. https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/07/trump-says-us-will-lift-caatsa-sanctions-turkey-consider-f-35-sale
