President Donald Trump arrived in Turkey on Tuesday for a meeting between NATO countries, but there’s some tension over whether all European countries are meeting the spending benchmarks agreed to by members of the alliance.
The two-day summit in Ankara, Turkey, will showcase a number of different military and defense projects in an attempt to show Trump that Europe is bolstering its capabilities to strengthen NATO, The Associated Press reported.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan met Trump when Air Force One touched down on Tuesday. They didn’t speak to reporters but Trump was overheard talking about his new Air Force One.
Trump said that he would consider selling American fighter jets to Turkey, which previously were banned after the country bought Russian missile defense systems, then later announced he would lift sanctions on Turkey.
“Turkey has been in many ways much more loyal than other countries,” Trump said.
The president praised Erdogan, saying they have a “very special relationship.” He said that sometimes you get along with the “toughest people.”
He also reiterated his claim about the U.S. having control over Greenland, a territory controlled by Denmark. It’s a desire not shared by European allies.
Trump also aired his grievances with European allies for not helping in the war with Iran.
“Italy turned us down and Germany turned us down and France turned us down,” he said. “And that’s OK. But, you know, why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars and they’re not there for us?”
Trump is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday.
While the president will likely make his mind known in regard to the Iran war and defense spending, he was able to get along well with many of the same leaders during a G7 summit last month.
