Erdoğan gifts loaded pistols to top EU leaders at NATO summit
Photo: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Türkiye (Getty Images)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented firearms to António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen during the NATO summit. Later, it turned out they were not the only recipients, reports Politico.
As the host of the NATO summit, the Turkish leader bid farewell to senior EU officials by presenting them with engraved pistols loaded with live ammunition.
According to a European Council spokesperson, Costa's security service has already taken custody of the firearm for inspection.
They will follow Belgian procedures to transport it to Belgium and then store it in accordance with the security requirements established by the Council's General Secretariat.
Von der Leyen has not yet told the media what she plans to do with the gift.
One official noted that the premium ceremonial pistols are unlikely to remain in the personal possession of EU leaders because they breach strict limits on the value of gifts.
It later emerged that Erdoğan also presented firearms to outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as well as Dutch government leader Rob Jetten.
They told the media they would leave their pistols in Türkiye to be decommissioned before taking them home.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported on Erdoğan's efforts to bring Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table with Ukraine.
Turkish leader also called on NATO allies to help bring Russia's war against Ukraine to an end.
Türkiye is ready to once again host negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
