Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented each head of state and government attending the NATO summit in Ankara with a personalized revolver loaded with live bullets. Each firearm bore the recipient leader’s name engraved on it. However, the revolver inscribed with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s name was not taken to Britain and remains with British officials in Turkey. Officials said the weapon will be deactivated before being sent to the UK to ensure it cannot fire live ammunition.

Erdogan reportedly relaxed Turkey’s export control laws to allow the gifts, though importing live firearms without authorization is illegal in the UK. Downing Street did not release any images of the revolver. During the summit, Prime Minister Starmer and President Erdogan signed a defense agreement aimed at improving intelligence sharing between the two countries.

In a post-summit statement, Starmer said NATO had emerged stronger and more united, emphasizing the importance of alliance unity amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. This was Starmer’s final major international summit following his recent resignation announcement.

A brief exchange between French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan became viral on social media after being captured at a NATO summit dinner in Ankara. The video, published by the Times of India on Wednesday, shows Macron appearing to attempt a hand kiss during a red-carpet greeting before the dinner, while Emine Erdogan withdrew her hand. The two then continued their greeting normally. French First Lady Brigitte Macron was also present beside the French president during the moment.

The incident took place at a reception hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of high-level discussions among NATO leaders. The summit focused on key issues including European security, increased defense spending, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The video spread widely online, drawing attention to the brief interaction ahead of the formal talks among NATO member states.

US President Donald Trump has announced the lifting of American sanctions imposed on Turkey and revealed plans to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to the country. The announcement came on Tuesday ahead of his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a NATO summit in Turkey.

Trump said the decision ends restrictions placed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The sanctions were originally imposed in 2020 after Turkey purchased the Russian S-400 missile defense system, which also led to its removal from the US F-35 program. Ankara has consistently argued that the sanctions were unfair and violated international law.

According to two sources familiar with the matter, Trump may take a positive stance on the F-35 sale during his visit, though legal procedures and congressional approval remain obstacles. Trump also noted that his meeting with Erdoğan would include discussions on expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced on Monday that member states will reveal several multibillion-dollar arms deals during the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. The move aims to demonstrate to U.S. President Donald Trump that allies are making tangible progress on their defense spending commitments. The summit, attended by leaders from the 32-member alliance, follows Trump’s criticism of Europe’s response to the Iran war.

Last year, under U.S. pressure, NATO members pledged to raise defense and security spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035. Rutte said European allies and Canada are already investing about 4 percent and will present clear plans to reach the target. He noted that combined additional investments for 2025 and 2026 total $258 billion. The summit will also feature a defense industry forum where major arms contracts will be announced.

Diplomatic sources indicated that European and Canadian allies will commit at least €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine for 2026 and 2027, following reduced U.S. support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend part of the summit, while Rutte emphasized continued NATO support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and air defense needs.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Israel's 'warlike' government must not be given another chance to cause bloodshed in the region. He made the remarks on Saturday in Istanbul during a joint press conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following bilateral and delegation-level meetings.

Erdogan stated that the two leaders discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues. He emphasized that Turkey supports all initiatives aimed at reducing tensions and resolving problems through diplomatic means and will continue to do so in the future. The Turkish president added that Ankara will continue to work in solidarity with 'brotherly' countries like Pakistan to strengthen regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

Erdogan also expressed his desire for an environment where people of all religions and ethnicities in the region can live in peace and security. He noted Turkey’s interest in deepening cooperation with Pakistan in energy, transportation, critical minerals, and information technology sectors.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Istanbul on an official visit at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The visit aims to further strengthen relations between Pakistan and Turkey. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, Sharif was received by Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Dr. Yousaf Junaid, and officials from Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

According to an official statement, Prime Minister Sharif and President Erdoğan will hold detailed discussions on all key aspects of Pakistan-Turkey relations. The talks will focus on expanding trade and investment, promoting regional peace and security, and advancing issues of mutual interest. During his stay in Istanbul, Sharif will address a business conference highlighting investment opportunities in Pakistan’s special economic zones, energy, information technology, and privatization sectors.

The conference will be attended by leading Turkish business figures, investors, and government officials, with the goal of enhancing economic cooperation between the two nations.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Israel has turned into a problem not only for Turkey but for the entire world. In an interview with CNN Turk, he said Israel’s current policies have made the country a burden that humanity can no longer bear. Fidan emphasized that Turkey will not change its stance on Israel and that global concern has grown because of Israel’s actions.

He further noted that Turkey was among the first countries to halt trade with Israel in protest against the ongoing war in Gaza. According to Fidan, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suspended trade worth 10 billion dollars with Israel overnight, describing the move as a demonstration of firm and practical action.

The minister’s remarks underline Turkey’s continued criticism of Israel’s policies and its decision to maintain a strong diplomatic and economic stance amid the Gaza conflict.

Turkey’s defense and aerospace exports rose sharply between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, reaching 10.9 billion dollars, a 47.1 percent increase compared to the previous year’s 7.4 billion dollars. The growth was driven largely by higher demand from NATO member countries, where exports totaled 6.2 billion dollars, accounting for 57.3 percent of Turkey’s total defense and aerospace exports.

During this period, Turkey exported defense and aerospace products to 178 countries. The top three destinations were NATO allies, reflecting Turkey’s expanding defense industry cooperation within the alliance. The increase was attributed to international outreach, bilateral meetings, and defense industry diplomacy coordinated by Turkey’s Defense Industry Secretariat.

Turkey has strengthened its position not only as a supplier of defense products but also as a developer of technology, a promoter of joint production models, and a long-term partner to its allies, according to the report.

Turkey has increased transit fees for ships passing through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits by about 15 percent, effective July 1, 2026. The country’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure confirmed the adjustment to Russian news agency RIA Novosti, stating that the new rate will be 6.70 US dollars per ton, up from the previous 5.83 dollars set in 2022. The revision is part of the ministry’s annual review process.

The Bosphorus and Dardanelles are among the world’s busiest and most strategically important maritime routes. This latest increase continues a trend of fee adjustments that began in 2022, after nearly four decades of unchanged rates at 80 cents per ton since 1983. In 2022, Turkey raised the fee more than fivefold to 4.8 dollars per ton as part of a policy shift.

According to preliminary estimates by Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Turkey expects to earn about 254 million US dollars from ship transits between July 2025 and June 2026, roughly 31 million dollars more than the previous fiscal year.

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus stated that lasting peace in the Middle East can only be achieved if Israel’s current far-right government halts its expansionist policies and aggression. Speaking at the opening session of a NATO summit in Istanbul, he said that ending decades of injustice against Palestinians and ensuring justice are essential for regional stability.

Kurtulmus emphasized that stopping Israel’s aggressive actions would not only secure peace and safety for Palestinians but also strengthen global peace. He reaffirmed Turkey’s support for establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, reiterating that a two-state solution remains the only viable path to resolving the crisis.

He also welcomed the recent interim agreement between Iran and the United States, expressing hope that such initiatives would lead beyond temporary ceasefires toward a lasting and just peace.

Turkey on Sunday sharply criticized Israel for describing the mass killings of Armenians during World War I as an act of ethnic cleansing. Ankara called the move a political decision aimed at covering up Israel’s own alleged crimes.

In a statement, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the Israeli government, which faces accusations of systematic persecution of Palestinians and is under trial at the International Court of Justice over alleged genocide in Gaza, is attempting to hide its actions by politicizing the 1915 events. The ministry argued that recognizing the Armenian killings as genocide while being accused of ongoing oppression of Palestinians is a politically motivated step.

According to Turkey, Israel’s stance on the Armenian genocide issue reflects an effort to deflect international criticism of its treatment of Palestinians and the situation in Gaza.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was fully prepared to enter a war in support of Iran. Trump made the statement on Thursday during a conversation with journalists at the White House, according to a report by Middle East Monitor. He said Erdogan did not like Israel and was therefore the top candidate to side with Iran in the conflict. However, Trump asserted that Turkey eventually agreed to stay out of the confrontation following his personal intervention and request.

The report also noted that Trump gave a positive signal regarding Turkey’s request for U.S. F-35 fighter jets and engines to support its domestically produced warplane. He said he would likely do something to make Turkey happy. Additionally, Trump reaffirmed his intention to attend the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara as a gesture of respect toward Erdogan.

The statements highlight ongoing U.S.-Turkey diplomatic engagement amid regional tensions involving Iran and Israel, as reported by Middle East Monitor.

US President Donald Trump will attend the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, reportedly to please Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to Middle East Eye citing multiple sources. The summit, scheduled for July in Turkey’s capital, is viewed as a critical moment for relations between the United States and its European allies, which have recently experienced growing tensions.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters that many European countries consider it significant that the meeting is being held in Turkey under President Erdogan’s leadership, as this has made Trump’s participation possible. Fidan added that without Erdogan or Turkey’s involvement, Trump would not have attended, which could have sent a message that he does not value the NATO summit.

Fidan further stated that the summit will address differing perspectives between the United States and Europe, emphasizing that resolving key issues would not be possible without the US President’s presence.

Turkey has called on Iran and the United States to stop their ongoing conflict, warning that continued hostilities could further intensify warfare in the Middle East. The appeal was made by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a press conference in Sofia on Thursday, where he noted that reciprocal attacks over the past two days had raised fears of heightened regional tension.

According to a report from Istanbul by AFP, Fidan advised both parties to cease mutual strikes and return to dialogue. His remarks reflect Ankara’s concern that the situation could spiral into broader instability if not contained through diplomatic engagement.

The Turkish statement underscores the country’s effort to position itself as a mediator in regional disputes, emphasizing the need for restraint and renewed negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that Israel’s continued attacks in Syria and Lebanon have reached a level that poses a direct security threat to Turkey. Speaking to lawmakers from his ruling AK Party on Wednesday, Erdogan described Israel’s actions as aggression that endangers global stability and must be stopped immediately. He accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates of escalating the situation to a point that now threatens Turkey’s own safety, emphasizing that Ankara’s security is closely tied to that of Syria and Lebanon.

Turkey, a NATO member, has long condemned Israel’s operations in Iran, Gaza, and Lebanon, calling Israel the main obstacle to regional peace. Ankara has already suspended all trade with Israel and urged international legal action against it. Erdogan further alleged that Israel is secretly working to destabilize the Mediterranean and Africa by fueling divisions in Cyprus, warning that any violation of Turkish or Turkish Cypriot rights in the Eastern Mediterranean would meet a strong response.

Erdogan also blamed Israel for provoking recent U.S.-Iran tensions and urged world powers to take a clearer stance, saying that holding Israel accountable under international law is a shared responsibility of all humanity.