Donald Trump lands in Ankara, showing off the new gold-streaked Air Force One. The time to arrive at the presidential palace and the hope of a change of tone crumbles. The tycoon resumes his recriminations. NATO “disappointed me, it wasn’t there” in Iran. And he returns to targeting France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, who “did not help” the USA, while reiterating that perhaps he will move troops from Europe (or perhaps not). And he raises the issue of Greenland: it should be “controlled” by America. In short, complete package. The only variant on the theme is dedicated to Giorgia Meloni: «I like her, she’s a good person», she conceded. But on Iran he didn’t help her either and this was her “mistake”.
The Donald therefore froze those who hoped that the Turkish air would tame him, as happened with the Evian breeze. All eyes remained focused on the dinner, strictly behind closed doors, where the tycoon was sitting with Erdogan and Rutte at the same table with the leaders of the chancelleries with whom he says he is disappointed: Meloni, Merz, Macron and Starmer. Few indiscretions but a ceremonial to try to reduce the distances in view of tomorrow’s work and the session of the Atlantic Council.
Allies focus on investments in defense
There was a certain resignation among the allies during the day. More than that, was the reasoning, it can’t be done. The reference is aimed at the great forum of the defense industry, an absolute first, in which contracts worth billions have flowed in, with the full involvement of American companies.
Secretary General Mark Rutte once again reeled off the spending increases implemented just one year after the Hague summit, where the 5% target was decided. And the latest figures released by NATO certify that all nations (except Slovenia) are at least at 2% in “core” defense and many are already going beyond that. “But does Trump know?” ventures a diplomatic source.
The bilateral agreement with Erdogan and the F-35 dossier
The US president, for his part, reiterated that if the summit had not been organized by Erdogan he would not even have shown up. The sultan, however, awaits him at the gate. He wants to know if Turkey will be able to rejoin the F-35 program – suspended after the purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system – and if it will be sold the American engines for its fifth generation Kaan fighter.
Israel opposes. Netanyahu on one side, Erdogan on the other. Who will prevail? “Turkey is more loyal than other countries, that’s something we certainly consider,” Trump noted. The Turkish leader, moreover, welcomed him personally at Ankara airport and subsequently in the presidential palace with a grand ceremony, broadcast on state TV, before the bilateral meeting.
Criticism of Meloni: «He made a mistake»
It was at that juncture that a journalist asked The Donald about his post-meme on Meloni, that of the restraining order.
“Our relationship got a little bad, she refused to help us, I didn’t put pressure on her,” Trump said. “She refused to get involved on the Strait of Hormuz, she refused to get involved on Iran. It ruined the relationship. I like him, he’s a good person, but I think he made a mistake. The United States has a lot of oil, more than anyone else, we don’t need Hormuz, we do it because we think it’s important: she wasn’t there for us and I wasn’t happy about it”, he repeated.
Having said that, Meloni was not the only one, on the contrary (if desired, there were those who did even worse, like the Spaniard Pedro Sanchez).
The wait for the NATO summit and the face to face with Zelensky
There is only one question now: how Trump will get to the actual summit. Yet another clash would send a terrible signal, especially towards Russia and China. And then there’s also the face-to-face meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky to get through. The chemistry between the two appears better but you never know.
“I think both Zelensky and Putin want to reach an agreement, it’s a shame that it’s taking so long: I had a very positive and long conversation with the Russian president and one with Zelensky afterward,” Trump recalled. “I think we will resolve the war, hopefully soon.” But Trump has said this over and over again.