Headline: Erdogan and Trump Meet at The Hague NATO Summit – A Strategic Reset

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Erdogan And Trump Handshake: symbolic reset  

Erdogan and Trump
Erdogan and Trump Meet at The Hague NATO Summit – A Strategic Reset

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump had a chance to catch up during the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in The Hague on June 24-25. This marked their first in-person chat in years! The meeting happened at a royal dinner thrown by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima at the beautiful Huis ten Bosch palace.

Objectives on the table :

1. Resetting US–Turkey Relations

Erdogan is looking to convince Trump to lift the ban on Ankara’s F-35 jet purchases, which has been put on hold due to Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 air-defense systems.

2 . Reassuring NATO Unity

Trump highlighted the importance of NATO’s Article 5, which is all about “saving lives,” but he didn’t quite give a straightforward reaffirmation, leaving some Europeans a bit uneasy.



Meanwhile, Secretary General Mark Rutte stepped up to publicly support NATO unity and commended Trump for his role in securing a commitment to increase defense spending.

Erdogan and Trump Meet at The Hague NATO Summit – A Strategic Reset
Erdogan and Trump Meet at The Hague NATO Summit – A Strategic Reset

Defense Spending Surge

Trump urged NATO countries to increase their military spending to 5% of GDP, significantly higher than the earlier guideline of 2%. Some allies, such as Spain, were cautious and wanted to negotiate a more gradual increase, aiming for 3.5% by 2035.

4. Broader Security & Middle East Dynamics

The summit’s agenda covered a range of pressing issues, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the rising tensions in Gaza, and the strikes in Iran that some attribute to Trump—who, for a brief moment, managed to broker a delicate ceasefire.

Atmosphere and symbolism

The royal dinner was a significant moment in diplomacy.

The menu featured filet veal, asparagus paired with creamy pommes paolo, and a delightful chocolate caramel tart.

Trump and Erdogan stood together for the official “family photo” alongside King Willem-Alexander.

This gathering showcased a sense of unity, albeit with an impressive security presence, while also hinting at the strategic divisions that still exist.

Erdogan and Trump Meet at The Hague NATO Summit – A Strategic Reset

What’s at Stake

Issue Tensions Implications

US–Turkey Ties There’s been a long-standing freeze over the F‑35/S‑400 situation, but renewed dialogue is aiming to break the ice.

This could either pave the way for military collaboration or hit a snag due to lingering mistrust.
Transatlantic Solidarity Trump’s mixed signals regarding Article 5 contrast with Rutte’s public reassurances.

The strength of the alliance hinges on clear support from the US.
EU Military Contribution There’s a push for a budget increase to 5% of GDP, but compliance is expected to be slow.

It’s a balancing act between sharing the burden and navigating economic and political realities.


Wider Security Landscape With issues in Iran, Ukraine, and the Middle East, the US-led ceasefire remains fragile.

NATO’s credibility is closely linked to its ability to respond in a coordinated manner.

Bottom Line

The meeting between Erdogan and Trump in The Hague was about more than just a flashy photo opportunity—it carried significant diplomatic weight.

It was a moment to mend the military relationship between the US and Turkey, gauge Europe’s commitment amidst Trump’s demands for increased spending, and navigate the alliance’s position in a world filled with conflicts.

With Erdogan looking for relief from F-35 restrictions and Trump using NATO as a tool for strategic and budgetary changes, the results of this summit could have a lasting impact on transatlantic security in the coming year.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

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