Erdogan gave pistols to NATO leaders, Starmer says
Each pistol was engraved with a leader’s name and paired with live ammunition, while Canada and the UK said the gifts would be left or decommissioned.
- On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gifted personalized revolvers and live ammunition to NATO leaders departing the Ankara summit, with the Prime Minister's Office confirming all attendees received the unusual parting gift.
- The summit served as a farewell for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who announced his resignation and will be replaced by Andy Burnham, potentially setting the stage for future NATO diplomacy in Turkey.
- Recipients included Prime Minister Mark Carney, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa, each receiving a revolver engraved with their name.
- Starmer left his pistol in Turkey because importing it would be illegal under UK law, while Canadian officials transferred Carney's revolver to the RCMP for decommissioning with ammunition left behind.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's pistol will remain at the German Embassy in Ankara pending legal export, while Canadian authorities plan to find an appropriate placement for their gift, possibly donating it to a museum.
203 Articles
203 Articles
The leaders of NATO countries met in Ankara, the Turkish capital, around Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At the end of the summit, they exchanged gifts, symbols of their know-how or culture. The Turkish president offered his peers a revolver accompanied by six ammunitions. - "He wants to show that the Turkish empire is still there" : when Erdogan offers a revolver and six bullets to the leaders of NATO (International).
Turkish President Erdoğan embarrasses the heads of state and government at the NATO summit. His guest gift causes irritation.
Associated Press News
NATO leaders came to Turkey to discuss security. Erdogan gave them each an engraved revolver
Western leaders came to Turkey to discuss security in an increasingly perilous world. They each left with a revolver and six rounds.
Erdogan's revolver diplomacy left Nato leaders with a loaded problem
Most Nato summits end with a communiqué. This one ended with customs problems. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan each each visiting head of state with an engraved Turkish-made gun complete with live ammo.
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