Erdogan Gifts NATO Leaders Vintage Pistols at Ankara Summit, Sparking Security Concerns

At the conclusion of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan surprised the attending NATO leaders by presenting each with a unique gift: a wooden box containing a vintage pistol and six live bullets. The pistol, labeled "Gumusai, the first gun produced in our country," was accompanied by the Turkish flag and the NATO emblem on the box. This unusual gesture was widely interpreted as Erdogan showcasing Turkey's defense industry.

The unexpected gift caused significant alarm among the security teams protecting the NATO leaders, who feared the potential risks posed by handing over firearms with live ammunition. One security official described the situation as causing "some crazy scenes among the security teams of the various delegations."

Public reactions from NATO leaders varied. Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Megyiar posted on X about receiving a "Magnum gun with ammunition, engraved with my name." A Belgian official revealed that Prime Minister Alexander De Croo only learned the exact nature of the gift after landing in Belgium, promptly handing it over to airport police for secure storage following proper protocols. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's spokesperson confirmed all leaders received the same model, personalized with their names.

Polish President Andrzej Duda's aide, Karol Nawrocki, told Polish radio that the pistol is currently held at Warsaw airport customs and will be stored safely to ensure security and respect for the gift. He emphasized that no one would fire the weapon.

The incident highlights Erdogan's attempt to promote Turkey's defense manufacturing while raising questions about the appropriateness and security implications of gifting firearms to international leaders during a diplomatic summit.