Türkiye's role in NATO ahead of 2026 Ankara summit: strategic importance and alliance friction (defence24.com)

• Türkiye's strategic location and autonomous defence industry make it a valuable yet demanding NATO partner.
• Ankara balances Black Sea escalation control with diplomatic channels to Moscow.
• The 2026 Ankara summit will test NATO's adaptability to increasingly autonomous allies.

"Türkiye is a difficult NATO ally because of its strategic importance, not despite it, according to a Defence24 analysis ahead of the 2026 Ankara summit. Ankara controls Black Sea access via the Montreux Convention, maintains dialogue with Russia while cooperating with Ukraine, and has developed an autonomous defence industry. However, its assertive behaviour, including delaying Sweden's accession and purchasing Russian S-400 systems, has caused friction. The article argues NATO must adapt to allies like Türkiye that are both demanding and critical for European security, particularly in Black Sea defence and industrial capacity."