TRT World – Global headlines point to Türkiye’s growing NATO clout

International media on Thursday gave broad coverage to the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in the Turkish capital Ankara, highlighting Türkiye’s growing strategic importance, expanding defence industry, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s diplomatic role amid a changing security environment.The New York Timessaid the wars in Ukraine and Iran, along with US President Donald Trump’s January 2025 return to the White House, had increased Türkiye’s value among its NATO allies.The newspaper said Türkiye is seen as critical to the alliance’s future because of its growing defence industry and its army, NATO’s second largest after the US. It also reported that Trump said explicitly that he agreed to attend the summit because Erdogan was hosting it.Politicosaid there was “one clear winner” at the end of the NATO summit, describing Erdogan as an effective negotiator and leader in the domestic defence industry.The web outlet also said leaders praised Erdogan’s ability to keep Trump engaged in discussions on NATO’s future, while Trump said relations with Türkiye were “probably better than ever.”Defence-focused outletDefence24said Europe cannot build a credible security architecture without Türkiye.It said Türkiye’s second-largest army in NATO and expanding defence industry make it indispensable, adding that the Ankara summit provided a strategic showcase for the country’s defence production capacity.German media focus on Türkiye’s growing influenceIn its coverage of the Ankara summit, German dailyDie Weltasked, “Is Türkiye a new power factor?” and reported Trump’s remarks that he attended the event because of Erdogan.It also said Erdogan was among the few leaders with whom Trump has maintained a strong personal relationship for years.Süddeutsche Zeitungdescribed the Ankara meeting as a critical summit for NATO and said European countries sought to demonstrate the alliance’s strength by presenting new defence investments.Tagesschausaid Erdogan gained prestige even before the summit began, reporting that Trump wanted to come to Ankara and describing Türkiye as an indispensable regional power boasting NATO’s second-largest army.Wirtschaftswochereported that Erdogan gave Trump a grand welcome in a warm atmosphere and said Trump attended the NATO summit in Türkiye solely because of Erdogan.Greek media highlights remarks on F-35 fighter jetsGreek media focused on Trump’s remarks signalling support for the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye and the removal of CAATSA sanctions.News websitein.grsaid Türkiye’s strategic importance had increased significantly and could no longer be ignored. It also described Trump’s reception by Erdogan in Ankara as impressive and highlighted Trump’s praise for the Turkish president.The report argued that Türkiye had won the battle for first impressions but was still seeking a firm timetable for receiving the F-35s, which it paid for several years ago.Kathimerini, under the headline “Praise and promises for the F-35,” highlighted Trump’s comments on the aircraft and CAATSA sanctions, saying he praised Türkiye and Erdogan and described Türkiye as a more loyal friend than other countries.SKAI TVsaid Erdogan emerged as the biggest winner of the NATO summit, arguing that he used the gathering to strengthen Türkiye’s international standing and revive the F-35 issue.Italian media stress Trump’s praise for ErdoganItalian media also highlighted Trump’s remarks during his meeting with Erdogan in Ankara.La Repubblicareported that Trump said he came “for Erdogan” while expressing disappointment with European allies.Corriere della Serasaid Trump “shook the NATO summit with his words,” reporting that he met his “friend Erdogan” while criticising Berlin, Paris, and London.La Stampasaid Trump referred to Erdogan as “an important friend” and “an important leader” during public events and reported his remarks that he would not have attended the summit without Erdogan, as well as his pledge on F-35 sales to Türkiye.Il Messaggeroalso reported that Trump pledged at the start of the summit to support F-35 sales to Türkiye.Swiss, Austrian media underline Türkiye’s strategic valueSwiss public broadcasterSRFheadlined its report, “NATO’s defining meeting: Restructuring or disintegration?” It said Erdogan used the summit to demonstrate Türkiye’s strength, noting that the country has NATO’s second-largest army, a rapidly growing defence industry, and controls strategic routes from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea.The report also said Türkiye is one of the few countries able to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.Austrian public broadcasterORFcovered the summit under the headline “Criticism, threats and a treat for Ankara,” saying one of the main developments for Türkiye was Washington’s message that it would reconsider F-35 sales.ORFalso reported that Trump’s comments about lifting sanctions were viewed in Ankara as a significant benefit and highlighted the grand welcoming ceremony for the US president.The Austrian Chamber of Commerce’s digital platform LOOKAUT said Türkiye’s strategic location, NATO’s second-largest army, and expanding defence industry had increased its importance for European security.Kurier said Erdogan demonstrated how much Europe needs Türkiye, describing him as a confident host while European leaders appeared as cautious guests. The newspaper added that recent developments in the Middle East had once again underlined Türkiye’s geopolitical importance.Balkan media highlight defence and diplomacyBosnian news portalKlixreported that Türkiye hosted the summit for the first time in 22 years and highlighted Erdogan’s remarks on its Steel Dome and other air defence systems.Croatian news portal Index highlighted Erdogan’s call for lifting defence industry restrictions among NATO allies.Slovenian public broadcasterRTV SLOdescribed the Ankara summit as an opportunity for Türkiye to showcase its strengthening defence industry.