President Donald Trump said he is attending the NATO summit in Ankara mainly because of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, describing him as a friend and signaling closer U.S.-Turkey defense cooperation.

The visit reflects a shift in relations between Washington and Ankara, which have been strained in recent years over issues like Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile system and its removal from the F-35 program.

Despite these disputes, analysts say Turkey has become increasingly important to NATO due to its large military, strategic location, and role in regional conflicts involving Russia, Syria, and the Black Sea.

Supporters of stronger ties argue that Turkey is essential to NATO’s security, while critics point to its independent foreign policy, including ties with Russia and support for Hamas, as a source of tension, Fox News has reported.

The debate continues as the U.S. considers new arms sales to Turkey and broader efforts to balance strategic needs with political disagreements.