Turkey prepares for Trump's visit to NATO summit – Fidan
According to TRT Haber, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made the statement while speaking to foreign journalists, Ukrinform reports.
The head of Turkish diplomacy said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has spoken with President Trump "many times" and that during none of those conversations did Trump indicate that he would not attend the summit.
"At present, all our preparations for hosting President Trump are continuing," Fidan said.
The foreign minister added that Turkey also expects leaders and defense ministers from NATO partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region to attend the July summit, including representatives from Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. According to Fidan, Ankara is working with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the summit program.
As previously reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that the NATO summit, scheduled for July 7–8 in Turkey, will demonstrate the Alliance's strength and unity. Among the topics expected to be discussed is President Trump's reported "disappointment" with NATO.
Following NATO allies' refusal to support the United States in a war against Iran, Trump publicly questioned whether the United States should continue adhering to the Alliance's mutual defense commitments and said he was considering the possibility of withdrawing from NATO.
