Turkey’s leader gives revolvers to every NATO leader as parting gift
NATO Leaders Receive Vintage Revolvers from Turkish President in Diplomatic Gesture
Turkey s leader gives revolvers to every – Upon his return flight to Brussels following the recent alliance gathering, Belgium’s prime minister encountered an unexpected item resting within his luggage. The surprise discovery was a functional handgun accompanied by a supply of ammunition, a token of appreciation from the host nation. This unusual souvenir was distributed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to all attending heads of state during Wednesday’s summit in Ankara. The meeting itself was characterized by some tension, yet the parting presents offered a moment of shared camaraderie among the delegates.
A Symbol of Defense Capability
Erdogan’s intention behind the gesture was to highlight the rapid advancement of Turkey’s domestic defense sector. The firearms selected for distribution were not mere decorative replicas; they contained live ammunition, signaling their operational readiness. Photographs released by the office of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda provided a clear view of the specific model chosen for the occasion. The weapon appeared to be the Gumusay .357 Magnum, a distinctive six-shooter manufactured by the Turkish arms producer MKE during the 1990s.
The revolver was carefully placed within a polished wooden presentation case. This display featured prominent imagery of both the Turkish national flag and the NATO emblem. A descriptive plaque was included, bearing the inscription in both Turkish and English:
“Gumusay, the first revolver-type handgun produced in our country”
. This detail underscored the historical significance of the firearm within the context of Turkish industrial achievement.
Personalized Tokens for Global Leaders
According to statements from the spokesperson for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, the gift was uniform in design but personalized for each recipient. Every leader received a revolver engraved with their own name, adding a layer of individual recognition to the collective gesture. Following the summit, various leaders made arrangements for the secure transport and storage of their new firearms.
Belgian premier Bart De Wever opted to leave his weapon with local authorities. He handed the revolver over to police at Brussels’ airport, ensuring it would be kept in a secure vault until further notice. Meanwhile, an assistant to Polish President Karol Nawrocki informed Radio RMF FM that the Polish gift was currently undergoing customs processing at Warsaw Airport. The aide emphasized the care being taken, stating the revolver would be stored in a manner that ensured both safety and respect for the diplomatic present.
Regarding the potential use of the weapons, the Polish aide remarked,
“Certainly no one will be shooting it,”
highlighting the ceremonial nature of the gift. Other leaders had different logistical plans. The offices of the Dutch and Swedish prime ministers confirmed that their respective revolvers had been transported to the Turkish embassies in Ankara. In the case of the Netherlands, the firearm was scheduled to be rendered inoperable, whereas the Swedish unit awaited the completion of import documentation.
Diverse Fates for the Diplomatic Gifts
The British delegation received a particularly comprehensive package. A source from Downing Street revealed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s revolver came equipped with a full cleaning kit and an impressive quantity of five hundred bullets. In Rome, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s revolver was already being housed within the Palazzo Chigi, the seat of the Italian government, alongside other official state presents.
Looking toward the future of these artifacts, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her intention to donate her revolver to a
