Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the biggest challenge in organizing the NATO Summit in Ankara was persuading U.S. President Donald Trump to attend.

Axar.az reports, citing Turkish media, that Fidan made the remarks during the event "European Security After the Ankara Summit: Strengthening Cooperation Among NATO Allies Across Europe."

Fidan said Trump's participation was essential to easing tensions between the United States and its European allies.

“European security cannot be ensured solely within the framework of the European Union,” Fidan said. “With its advanced defense industry, diplomatic capabilities, and role within NATO, Turkiye is one of the key pillars of European security.”

He added that countries with advanced defense industries, including Turkiye and the United Kingdom, should be regarded as natural and indispensable partners in shaping Europe's future security architecture.

Fidan also urged European countries not to view U.S. calls for greater burden-sharing as pressure or a threat, but as an opportunity to assume greater responsibility for their own security.