Trump reiterates he is attending NATO summit "because of Erdoğan"

U.S. President Donald Trump has departed for Türkiye to attend the NATO summit, reiterating before his departure that he was traveling to Ankara "because of" Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

According to Fox News, Trump told reporters:

"I'm going because of Erdoğan," calling the Turkish leader "a friend" and "a respected leader" while signaling that closer defense cooperation between Washington and Ankara could be on the horizon.

Trump also said the United States and Türkiye could deepen their defense cooperation.

The NATO summit will be held in Ankara on July 7-8. Trump is expected to hold meetings with world leaders, while security issues and regional conflicts are expected to dominate the agenda.