Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan surprised fellow NATO leaders by presenting engraved vintage revolvers with live ammunition following the alliance’s summit. The unexpected gifts sparked diplomatic and logistical concerns, with several recipients indicating the weapons would not be kept for personal use. The summit had focused on regional security, including Iran, Ukraine, and relations with the United States.
The unusual presentation came at the conclusion of the NATO gathering, where allied leaders discussed key geopolitical challenges and defense cooperation. While diplomatic gifts are common at high-level meetings, the inclusion of functional firearms and live ammunition drew immediate attention among participants and officials.
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Several leaders reportedly said the revolvers would be decommissioned before being placed in museums or official state collections. Others considered donating the weapons to public institutions to comply with domestic security regulations and avoid legal complications surrounding the transport and possession of firearms.
The gifts also created logistical challenges for security teams responsible for transporting official delegations. Officials had to ensure the firearms complied with national and international regulations governing the movement of weapons and ammunition, prompting additional coordination after the summit concluded.
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The incident quickly attracted international attention because of its unconventional nature rather than any policy outcome from the summit. Despite the surprise, NATO leaders remained focused on the alliance’s broader agenda of regional security, defense cooperation, and ongoing geopolitical challenges.