Romanian President Nicușor Dan returns Turkish pistol gifted at Ankara NATO summit

President Nicușor Dan of Romania received a Gumusay pistol with ammunition as a gift from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the NATO summit in Ankara. The Romanian presidential protection team seized the weapon for verification and, following legal procedures, the firearm will be stored by the Service for Protection and Guard under a convention with the Presidential Administration.

The President noted on social media that the summit’s declaration confirms Romania’s fulfilment of NATO defence spending, capability and solidarity commitments and reiterated support for Ukraine. He quoted the joint declaration: “Declarația summitului adoptată astăzi ... reprezintă dovada faptului că ne-am îndeplinit angajamentele privind cheltuielile, capabilitățile și solidaritatea”. Other NATO leaders also received similar firearms, a detail highlighted by the Financial Times.

The pistol will not be retained by the head of state, complying with Romanian and Turkish export licensing requirements.