Erdoğan-Trump contact at NATO Summit in Ankara on the agenda of US media

At the 36th NATO Summit hosted by Ankara, US President Donald Trump was welcomed by AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The images of the two leaders standing side-by-side during the official ceremony held for Trump became a talking point not only in Turkey but also in the US media.

The close contact between Erdoğan and Trump and their warm appearance during the ceremony were also commented on during a Fox News broadcast. The broadcast noted that the relationship Trump established with Erdoğan gave a different impression compared to his contact with some other leaders.

Commenting on the images, the Fox News anchor stated the following:

“I’m not used to people touching the President. The President is not very affectionate or close in this way. So to see him allow that, to see that bond, to see how they greeted each other, it shows you the distinction. This meeting is going to be interesting, frankly. President Trump is closer to Erdoğan than he is to many of the NATO country leaders.”

With the summit beginning in Ankara, the leaders' bilateral contacts and discussions regarding the alliance's agenda are being closely followed. Assessments regarding the Erdoğan-Trump encounter have also brought about commentary on how personal diplomacy between the two leaders will play a role in the summit's traffic.

Commentary in the US media emphasized that Trump’s approach toward Erdoğan differs from the distance he maintains with other leaders within NATO. The contacts the two leaders will hold during the summit process are expected to be watched closely in terms of Turkey-US relations as well as the alliance's agenda.

News Source: 12punto