Erdoğan, Trump to meet on sidelines of The Hague summit Talks on Ukraine, regional issues expected

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump are set to meet on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague on June 24-25 to discuss the situation in Ukraine, according to the Turkish newspaper Milliyet, citing informed sources.

The upcoming NATO summit, which has taken on heightened significance amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and shifting European security dynamics, will mark the first in-person meeting between Erdoğan and Trump since January 20.

Sources indicate that sanctions imposed on Türkiye, particularly related to the stalled F-35 fighter jet program, will be a key point of discussion in the bilateral talks.

In addition to Ukraine, the leaders are expected to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the first of several pressing regional concerns. The agenda will also include the ongoing conflict in Syria, highlighting the complex security challenges facing the region.

The NATO summit in The Hague will take place on June 24–25 amid a period of mounting geopolitical uncertainty and internal alliance recalibration. With Russia’s war in Ukraine entering its fourth year, NATO faces growing pressure to strengthen its deterrence posture while maintaining cohesion among its 32 member states.

A key item on the agenda will be the proposed increase in defence spending to 5% of GDP — a bold escalation from the current 2% benchmark set in previous NATO guidelines.

The summit is also expected to reaffirm NATO’s support for Ukraine, both in terms of military assistance and long-term integration into Euro-Atlantic structures. However, differences persist over how strongly the alliance should commit to Ukraine’s future membership, particularly in light of concerns about escalation with Moscow.

By Khagan Isayev