Erdogan Gifts Engraved Pistols with Ammunition to NATO Leaders

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented personalised engraved pistols to world leaders attending the Nato summit in Ankara, with each firearm accompanied by live ammunition. The unusual diplomatic gifts were handed to leaders from across the alliance, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as Nato members met for two days to discuss defence spending, military rearmament and security challenges.

According to the BBC, each leader received an engraved revolver bearing their name along with ammunition. However, the firearms are expected to be rendered inoperable before entering their respective countries because of domestic firearms laws.

In Canada's case, Global Affairs Canada confirmed that Carney's pistol is being transferred to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for decommissioning, meaning it will no longer be capable of firing live ammunition. The department said all official gifts are handled in accordance with Canadian laws, security requirements and government policies. Officials added that the firearm could eventually be displayed in a Canadian museum. No image of the gift has been released.

UK's outgoing PM Keir Starmer also received a personalised revolver engraved with his name. However, the firearm was not brought back to the UK and remains with British officials in Turkey. Although Erdogan reportedly waived export controls, British law prohibits the import of a live firearm. The revolver will therefore be decommissioned before it is returned to Britain. Downing Street has also not released photographs of the gift.

The presentation of the pistols came as NATO leaders agreed to strengthen the alliance's military capabilities amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. During the summit, Starmer also signed a defence agreement with Erdogan aimed at expanding intelligence sharing and defence cooperation between the UK and Turkey.