Erdoğan Presents Custom Pistols to NATO Leaders

The Turkish-made pistols were presented in custom display cases together with ammunition. Export restrictions on the commemorative firearms were lifted to allow them to be offered as diplomatic gifts.

However, because the pistols were fully functional, many recipient countries were required to follow strict legal and security procedures before accepting them.

According to reports, most leaders left the firearms in Turkey pending the completion of the necessary procedures.

Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte expressed gratitude for the gesture but said he could not accept the pistol.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten did not formally refuse the gift for diplomatic reasons, but, due to the Netherlands' strict firearms laws, left it at the Dutch embassy in Ankara, where it will either be deactivated or remain in storage.

Lithuania's president was among the few leaders to publicly share a photograph of the pistol, announcing that it would be displayed at the presidential palace.

Each gift included a card bearing the message: "With the warmest greetings of the President of the Republic of Turkey."

BBC correspondent Chris Mason, who accompanied British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the visit, reported that the gift also included live ammunition. As UK law prohibits the import of functioning firearms, the pistol was left with the British diplomatic mission in Turkey.

The firearm is expected to have its firing mechanism permanently disabled before being transported to the UK, ensuring it can no longer fire live ammunition.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney handed his pistol over to police to be rendered inoperable. Canadian officials later said it would likely be placed on display in an appropriate venue, such as a museum, while the ammunition remained in Turkey.