US President Donald Trump, who came to Turkey within the scope of the NATO Summit, answered the questions of the press before the bilateral meeting. Trump's statement 'If the summit were not in Turkey, I might not have attended' brought up the possibility of the US withdrawing from NATO.Foreign Policy Expert Umur Tugay Yücel stated that these words clearly reveal Trump's view of NATO. Trump wants Europe to take on more of the defense burden.Yücel also touched on developments in the Middle East. Turkey has become an important balancing actor in the diplomatic process between Iran and the US.
This statement clearly reveals what Trump has in mind. Especially during his war with Iran, NATO's failure to support the US upset and disappointed Trump.
Additionally, Yücel noted that while NATO's defense spending target of 5% of GDP is a strong political message, it is economically difficult to achieve.
Ankara has clearly defined its stance in the Iran-US war. It is an Ankara that does not want war in the region and is doing its best to facilitate and mediate the path to peace.
NATO's 5% target is a strong political message, but it is economically difficult to achieve.
