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Erdoğan gifts pistols and ammunition to NATO leaders, Starmer leaves his in Turkey

37 sourcesFirst reported 13 days agoUpdated 10 days ago

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gifted each NATO leader a personalized Gümüsay .357 Magnum revolver and live ammunition during the NATO summit in Ankara. The gesture is seen as a symbol of diplomacy but has raised logistical and security concerns among Western leaders. The revolver is a domestically produced weapon, recognized as Turkey's first indigenous firearm. Each leader's handling of the gift varied based on their national protocols. UK Labour leader Keir Starmer decided to leave the revolver in Turkey after the summit.

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At the conclusion of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented each leader with a personalized Gümüsay .357 Magnum revolver, accompanied by live ammunition. The gesture, described as one of the more unusual diplomatic gifts, was intended to highlight Turkey's commitment to defense discussions amid heightened global security concerns, including issues related to Iran and Ukraine.

The Gümüsay .357 Magnum, a domestically developed revolver, is noted to be a replica of the famous American Colt Python revolver. The gifting of such weapons generated a range of reactions from NATO leaders and their security teams, with some expressing surprise over the appropriateness of the presents. Notably, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed he would not retain the firearm.

The diplomatic implications of Erdogan's gift were varied, as the action was viewed through different lenses by each leader's administration. This unusual move places Erdogan's gift among the more memorable diplomatic interactions in recent years, prompting discussions about its symbolic meanings in international relations.

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11 July

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Erdoğan gifts pistols and ammunition to NATO leaders, Starmer leaves his in Turkey

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