09.07.2026 20:31
The customized Magnum pistols gifted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to certain heads of state and government during the NATO Leaders' Summit sparked widespread reactions across Europe. While the fate of the gifts varied from country to country, some leaders took the pistols to their countries, others handed them over to security units, and some decided to donate them to museums. The social media post by Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar and the subsequent "Ottoman tradition" comment beneath it sparked debates in a new direction.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gifted some leaders custom-engraved Magnum pistols during the NATO Leaders Summit, which brought different practices in Europe. Due to countries' gun laws and security procedures, how the leaders would keep the gifts became a topic of debate; some took the pistols to their countries, while others turned them over to official institutions or temporarily entrusted them.
SOME GAVE TO POLICE, SOME WILL DONATE TO MUSEUM
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever reportedly handed the pistol to airport police, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk's gift was held until customs procedures were completed. The leaders of the Netherlands and Sweden kept their gifts at their embassies in Ankara, while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reportedly placed the pistol under protection at the Prime Ministry building. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is said to plan to donate the gift to a military museum. It was learned that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was unable to take the pistol with him due to legal regulations in his country.
MAGYAR SHARED ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar, one of the leaders who brought the gift to his country, shared a photo of the pistol on his social media account, saying, "An unusual gift from Turkish President Erdogan at the NATO Summit. A Magnum pistol with my name engraved on it, along with its cartridges..."
"OTTOMAN TRADITION" COMMENT DREW ATTENTION
While Magyar's post quickly sparked widespread reaction on social media, one comment under the post particularly stood out. A user stated, "In the Ottoman Empire, gifting weapons to allies was a tradition known as a symbolic display of loyalty and mutual support. Erdogan's gifting of pistols and live ammunition to NATO member countries can be interpreted as being based on this historical tradition. The message behind such a gesture is clear: it expresses trust, alliance, and willingness to stand shoulder to shoulder in times of conflict."
Another follower of Magyar commented on the gift, saying, "For them, this is the deepest sign of respect for men. Honor, manhood. Let me state this before someone spreads nonsense."
Another follower also drew attention with the comment, "A gift from a Turk to a Turk. A warrior nation gifts a weapon of war. For us, a gun is honor. A gift suitable for Attila's descendant."
While that comment attracted as much interest as the post itself, the gifted pistols became one of the most talked-about details of the NATO Summit.