10.07.2026 09:50
In a historic NATO summit in Ankara, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, giving an interview to Sky News Arabia, refrained from directly answering whether the alliance would invoke Article 5 in a potential conflict between Turkey and Israel. Describing Turkey as the 'primary crisis manager' in the Middle East, Rutte praised President Erdogan as a 'wise leader.'
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte made important assessments regarding the rising tension in the Middle East and Turkey's critical role in the region within the scope of the NATO Summit hosted by Ankara. The famous Article 5 emphasis in the summit's final declaration, which stipulates that "an attack on one member shall be considered an attack on all allies," was the focal point of the questions directed at Rutte.
ARTICLE 5 QUESTION MET WITH 'ERDOĞAN IS A WISE LEADER' RESPONSE
In response to the question of whether NATO would invoke Article 5 to stand by Turkey in a possible conflict scenario involving Turkey, Israel, and Syria, Rutte highlighted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's political experience instead of giving a clear commitment.
Speaking to Sky News Arabia, Rutte said, "President Erdoğan is an extremely wise president. I fully agree with the assessment President Donald Trump made about Erdoğan that he is a wise leader."
Emphasizing his confidence in Erdoğan's years of state experience and leadership, the Secretary General expressed his belief that Turkey would "avoid entering a situation that could spiral out of control."
"WHAT IF NETANYAHU MAKES CONFLICT INEVITABLE?" QUESTION LEFT UNANSWERED
Following Rutte's remarks that Turkey would avoid conflict, a critical question came from journalists: "What if Netanyahu makes conflict inevitable?"
Avoiding a direct response to this question regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies, the NATO Secretary General linked the issue to Hamas's attacks, stating, "I do not wish to speculate on this. Let us not forget the horrific attack Hamas carried out against Israel on October 7, 2023. So this process did not start with Israel."