ANKARA: US President Donald Trump Arrives for NATO Summit
US President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara on Tuesday to participate in a NATO summit, where world leaders are looking to impress him with pledges regarding defense spending, an AFP correspondent reported.
Upon his arrival, Trump was set to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the grand presidential palace. Afterward, Trump will join fellow leaders for an official dinner before the main discussions on Wednesday.
The President’s flight marked his first international trip aboard the newly gifted Qatari Air Force One. He landed at 1:51 PM local time (10:51 AM GMT) and was welcomed on the tarmac by Erdogan and a ceremonial guard, with some members in blue uniforms and others in red.
During his first official visit to the Turkish capital, Trump was escorted to the presidential palace, where guards dressed in traditional warrior attire stood at the entrance, according to the AFP correspondent. The palace features impressive atriums and lavish halls, adorned with onyx, marble, and detailed geometric designs.
The lavish decor was likely to catch Trump’s attention, especially considering one room displayed an impressionistic artwork of Erdogan alongside a crystal panther displayed in a cabinet.
In the lead-up to his visit, NATO allies showcased significant increases in defense spending, highlighting new arms contracts worth billions. This move aimed to address Trump’s frustration over Europe’s response to the ongoing tensions with Iran.
The two-day summit follows last year’s commitment from NATO members to enhance security-related spending to five percent of GDP, a pledge made under pressure from the US leader.
NATO chief Mark Rutte emphasized that European nations are making strides by increasing their military budgets and taking greater responsibility for defense, particularly in light of threats posed by Russia.
