NATO Summit in Ankara: Behind-the-Scenes Talks, Threat Response, and Diplomatic Dispute Over Gifts
As the NATO summit in Ankara concludes, revelations emerge about rapidly adjusted plans due to an alleged Iranian assassination threat, side meetings involving Baltic leaders and Ukraine, and a controversy over ceremonial pistols given by Turkey's president.
As the week draws to a close following the NATO summit in Ankara, a clearer picture is emerging of what was happening behind closed doors inside the Presidential Compound as the alliance's 32 leaders met. Among the revelations, reports from The Wall Street Journal and The Times of Israel suggest President Trump's team was rapidly adjusting plans amid what appeared to be an ongoing Iranian assassination threat.
Away from the main sessions, the summit was also shaped by a series of side meetings, including talks between the Baltic leaders and President Zelensky, while President Erdogan's controversial gifts to visiting leaders – ceremonial pistols presented with ammunition enclosed – prompted an unexpected diplomatic and ethical dilemma over whether to accept them.
France 24's Gavin Lee spoke to Joakim Klementi, European correspondent for Estonian Public Broadcasting, ERR, who provided insights into the Baltic perspective during the summit.
