Controversy over firearms gifted by Turkey to NATO leaders

During the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented participating leaders with personalized, engraved revolvers accompanied by live ammunition. The gifts, intended to showcase Turkey's defense industry, were presented in boxes marked with the Turkish flag and the NATO logo. The initiative caused diplomatic complications, as several leaders faced legal or security hurdles in transporting the weapons home. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever reportedly inadvertently brought a loaded revolver into Belgium, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer left his in Turkey to avoid violating UK law. Ursula von der Leyen and the Greek Prime Minister have announced plans to donate their firearms to military museums after decommissioning them. While Erdogan provided a letter intended to bypass customs restrictions, practices regarding the storage and legality of the gifts vary significantly by country. In addition to the weapons, leaders also received other gifts, including pens and notebooks, amid discussions on defense, trade, and geopolitical issues.