Leveraging the honor helped Erdogan avoid potential problems for the international defense alliance if the American president had been absent, especially at a time when Trump repeatedly threatens to withdraw US forces from Europe and reduce America's role in NATO. Trump has long criticized NATO member states, particularly their refusal to support him in the war against Iran.

The American president's affinity for strong leaders has long made him an admirer of Erdogan, who has served as Turkey's president for 13 years. His relationship with Erdogan, which is quite strong, aligns with what appears to be his pattern of preferences, said Philip Gordon, who served as national security advisor to former US Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump has frequently praised the Turkish president, calling him a leader of exceptional stature and a good friend. Last week he said: I would not travel for most people, but he (Erdogan) called me and said I am hosting the summit in Turkey, you must be there.

On the sidelines of the summit, the two leaders are also expected to meet one-on-one. This will be the first visit by a US president since Barack Obama traveled to Turkey in 2015. In contrast to Obama, Joe Biden's administration kept its distance from Erdogan due to the erosion of democratic norms and Ankara's close ties with Russia.

Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute noted that Erdogan and Trump got along excellently on a personal level during the sitting president's first term. When Biden sent Erdogan an invitation to visit the United States in 2024 after Turkey approved Finland and Sweden's NATO membership, Erdogan chose not to travel. That was Erdogan's way of signaling to Trump, Hey, you are probably going to win the election, Cagaptay said. I think Trump saw it as a huge gesture.

Trump signaled the advancement of steps that would enable the sale of fighter jets to Turkey during his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte last week. A journalist asked Trump whether he was bringing a large bag of gifts for Erdogan on the trip, noting Ankara's interest in F110 jet engines and F-35 fighter jets. Yes, I think so, Trump replied. Yes, I am probably going to do something that will make him very happy. Already in September last year Trump hinted that the United States might soon sell F-35 aircraft to Turkey.

Ankara was removed from the stealth fighter development and acquisition program in 2019 after purchasing Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems. US officials at the time feared that Turkey's use of the Russian system would allow Moscow to gather information on the F-35's capabilities. Vice President JD Vance recently said Washington is examining ways to sell the aircraft to Turkey and stressed that any such sale would ensure Turkey complied with US law.

Both Republicans and Democrats oppose selling F-35 jets to Turkey as long as Ankara retains the Russian defense systems. Two sources who requested anonymity told AP that the State Department took a step last week toward advancing the sale of F110 jet engines to Turkey and notified key lawmakers that it plans to bypass congressional opposition to the deal valued at more than 700 million dollars.

Erdogan and Trump have frequently held phone calls to discuss developments in Syria, the Gaza Strip and the Middle East as a whole. Ankara also joined Trump's Peace Council, which is tasked with managing affairs in Gaza toward the disarmament of Hamas. The American president recently claimed he asked Erdogan to avoid involvement in the war against Iran, but there was no indication that Turkey intended to get involved at all.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had hoped to gain Trump's support to curb Turkish influence in Syria, but instead found himself facing praise that the American president heaped on the Turkish leader. Last year, after meeting Trump at the NATO summit in The Hague, Erdogan told reporters that the American president was quick to return his phone calls.