Former UK Defence Minister: NATO Ankara Summit Showed Türkiye’s Rising Status

LONDON – Former UK Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood has praised Türkiye’s hosting of the NATO Ankara Summit on July 7–8, saying the event demonstrated the country’s growing international standing and strategic importance within the Alliance.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency in London after attending the summit, Ellwood congratulated Türkiye on successfully organizing the gathering and said participants received a warm welcome.

“I think it was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate Türkiye’s rising status and to show that it is a highly capable and welcoming place,” Ellwood said.

Reflecting on NATO’s future, Ellwood noted that the Alliance is facing a new generation of security challenges beyond conventional warfare. He said cyberattacks, threats in space, and rapidly evolving military technologies are raising important questions about how NATO’s collective defence commitments should be applied.

“The evolution of warfare is challenging NATO, its founding principles, and the way the Alliance functions as a deterrent,” he said.

Ellwood emphasized Türkiye’s strategic role within NATO, describing it as a key member on the Alliance’s southern flank. He added that discussions about NATO’s future would inevitably involve an important role for Türkiye.

Commenting on relations between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump, Ellwood described their relationship as “notable.” He suggested that Erdoğan could play a constructive role in influencing Trump, arguing that the U.S. president respects his Turkish counterpart.

“I believe President Erdoğan can have a quiet influence on President Trump because Trump respects him,” Ellwood said, adding that King Charles III also enjoys Trump’s respect.

Ellwood also highlighted Türkiye’s achievements in the defence industry, particularly in drone technology, which were showcased during the Defence Industry Forum held alongside the summit.

“Türkiye deserves congratulations. You have made remarkable progress,” he said.

He added that one of the next major challenges will be ensuring greater interoperability between Türkiye’s defence systems and those of other NATO allies.