Pistol protocol: Why Keir Starmer left Erdogan's gifted gun in Turkey while EU chiefs took theirs
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Pistol protocol: Why Keir Starmer left Erdogan's gifted gun in turkey while EU chiefs took theirs Photograph: (Credit: AFP)
Turkish President Erdogan triggered a diplomatic and logistical scramble by gifting personalised .357 Magnum revolvers and live ammunition to NATO summit leaders, forcing strict customs reviews across Europe.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented personalised pistols, ammunition, and Turkish export control waivers to leaders attending the annual NATO summit in Ankara, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Importing a live firearm without authorisation is illegal in both the UK and Belgium, leaders handled the gifts differently. Starmer left his weapon in Turkey for decommissioning. Conversely, von der Leyen and Costa intend to bring their firearms to Brussels.
European Commission Deputy Chief Spokesperson Olof Gill confirmed that von der Leyen thanked the Turkish leader for the gift. He stated that the weapon will be securely transported, stored, and decommissioned to ensure it cannot fire live ammunition. Once decommissioned, von der Leyen plans to donate the pistol to a military museum in the Belgian capital. Similarly, a European Council official noted that Costa's pistol will be imported according to Belgian law, then decommissioned and stored following the security requirements of the Council’s General Secretariat.
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Pistol protocol: Why Keir Starmer left Erdogan's gifted gun in turkey while EU chiefs took theirs Photograph: (Credit: AFP)
The gifts were presented following a working dinner at the Presidential Complex, where von der Leyen, Costa, and Erdoğan discussed bilateral EU-Turkey relations. Their conversation spanned topics including defence, migration, mobility, trade, and industrial policy. Prior to this meeting, questions had arisen regarding the agenda and whether von der Leyen and Erdoğan could achieve a rapprochement despite previous missteps.
About Erdogan's NATO pistol gifts
- The model: A vintage, rare Gümüşay .357 Magnum six-shot revolver manufactured in the 1990s by state-owned Turkish arms maker MKE.
- Personalisation: The handgun was custom-engraved with the specific world leader’s name on the frame.
- Live ammunition: They were fully operational firearms. The plush display boxes included six live rounds resting next to the gun. For some leaders, like the UK's Keir Starmer, the package included a cleaning kit and a 500-bullet block.
- Export waivers: To bypass standard red tape, Erdogan included officially signed notes exempting the weapons from Turkish export control.
