President Donald Trump criticized NATO member states and praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the NATO summit opened in Ankara on Tuesday evening, according to a report by Insider Paper.
President Donald Trump berated NATO member states and praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the opening of the NATO summit in Ankara on Tuesday evening, according to a report by Insider Paper. The remarks come after a day of intensified rhetoric: Trump landed in Ankara at 14:38 Jerusalem and was warmly greeted by Erdogan at the plane. By 18:04, he told reporters he was "very disappointed" with the Alliance and would have skipped the summit if not hosted by his "friend" Erdogan. The opening session now sees Trump deliver a sharp critique of NATO's European members while lavishing praise on the Turkish leader, setting the tone for the summit.
The Zioneer has tracked the developments throughout the day. At 14:38 Jerusalem, we reported on Erdogan's unusually effusive welcome at the foot of the plane. At 15:48 Jerusalem, we reported that Trump said he was "very disappointed" with NATO and would not have attended without Erdogan, citing N12. By 18:04 Jerusalem, we reported that Trump repeated that sentiment to reporters, adding that he would have skipped the summit. The initial report from N12 was later corroborated by multiple news outlets.
The background to Trump's stance has been building for weeks. As The Zioneer reported on June 10, Erdogan said Trump's attendance was important for alliance unity. On June 18, a report indicated Trump told Erdogan he was coming to the summit solely for him. On June 25, Trump revealed he had asked Erdogan for an unusual favor and called him a "great leader," and also disclosed that Turkey had considered joining the war alongside Iran. The personal rapport between the two leaders has been a recurring theme.
The exact content of Trump's criticisms of NATO and praise for Erdogan in the opening session has not been detailed in the Insider Paper report. It remains unclear which specific NATO members he targeted or what points of praise he emphasized. Further details from the summit are expected.
3 developments
- DevelopingErdogan says Trump's attendance at NATO Ankara summit important for alliance unity
- DevelopingReport: Trump tells Erdogan he's coming to NATO summit in July just for him
- StrongTrump reveals he asked Erdogan for unusual favor — and says he agreed
- DevelopingErdogan, Rutte walk hand-in-hand at NATO summit in Ankara
Source and signal
- Internal intake