08.07.2026 14:00
Associate Professor Dr. Furkan Kaya, a faculty member at Yeditepe University, evaluated the historic NATO Summit, which continues on its second day, for Haberler.com. Emphasizing that a spring period in Turkish-American relations is on the horizon, Kaya stated, 'I believe the leadership diplomacy between President Erdoğan and Trump will continue.'
Described as "the most important summit in history," the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government continues on its second day in Ankara, following unforgettable diplomatic maneuvers and grand receptions.
As part of the summit, heads of state and government from 32 NATO member countries, thousands of diplomats, journalists, and guests were hosted, while local and foreign media showed great interest in the summit. At this historic summit, Haberler.com Editor-in-Chief Attorney Bedia Teymur and Haberler.com Ankara Representative Şerife Güzel are also present. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Furkan Kaya, a faculty member at Yeditepe University, shared his assessments of the summit with Haberler.com.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kaya stated the following:
"We are experiencing days of summits within summits. In this sense, this summit is interpreted as a historic NATO summit by both foreign press and ourselves. We see that we are not mistaken.
THE FIRST NOTICEABLE DIALOGUE
US President Donald Trump's attendance at this summit highlighted another significance of the event. Trump's remarks, 'I wouldn't have gone without President Erdoğan, I get along with him,' indicated that a different dialogue would occur between Trump and Erdoğan during bilateral talks. As soon as Trump's plane landed, his initial contact with Mr. President was important. They had a long chat in front of the plane. We learned that he said, 'This is my new plane, I came to you with it for the first time.' Showing this courtesy to you was very valuable, I think.
Between the two, there was also a brief conversation at the reception at the Presidential Complex. Bilateral talks will continue today as well.
'THERE IS SERIOUS PRESSURE ON TRUMP'
Yesterday, after the Erdoğan-Trump meeting, a meeting between delegations took place. A Turkish-American summit occurred here. Issues like CAATSA sanctions, the F-35 matter, and the KAAN engine issue are particularly significant. We see that Trump will make progress on these topics. At the same time, there is serious pressure on Trump, especially not to reach an agreement with Turkey. Both the Jewish lobby and the Greek lobby in the US are applying pressure.
A NEW ERA IN RELATIONS
Therefore, we can say that a spring period is on the horizon in Turkish-American relations. To avoid the winter files that followed every spring period we have seen in the past, a new era must definitely begin within the framework of institutional alliance relations. Donald Trump also sees this. Especially within NATO, Turkey's importance and the contribution of its geopolitical position regarding Southeast Asia policy are very valuable.
In my opinion, a leadership diplomacy will continue between President Erdoğan and Trump, and a new era in relations will begin. After the CAATSA sanctions are lifted, Turkey will have shown that it is a country that produces peace for both NATO and its region, while serving peace with its defense industry capacity."