Hakan Fidan: Hardest part was convincing Donald Trump to attend NATO summit

The most difficult part of the NATO summit in Ankara was convincing US President Donald Trump to attend, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said at the event "European Security post-Ankara Summit: Strengthening Cooperation Between NATO Allies Across Europe," Report informs.

Fidan stated that Trump's participation in the summit is important for easing tensions between the US and Europe: "European security cannot be ensured solely within the European Union. Türkiye, with its advanced defense industry, diplomatic potential, and its role in NATO, is a key player in European security. A more consolidated approach is needed, and in this context, Türkiye plays a central role."

The minister stated that countries with developed defense industries, such as Türkiye and the United Kingdom, are also seen as natural and necessary participants in European defense cooperation: "Europe should not view US calls for burden-sharing as psychological pressure or a threat. On the contrary, it should assume greater responsibility."