Turkey, with NATO's second-largest army and a Black Sea coastline, is looking to play a key role in Europe's security after Washington's pivot away from the region.
After two rounds of crisis talks on Ukraine and security following Washington's change of policy, Ankara has been quick to warn that European defences cannot be ensured without its involvement.
"It is inconceivable to establish European security without Turkey," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after Sunday's London summit.
Without Turkey, "it is becoming increasingly impossible for Europe to continue its role as a global actor", he added.
A senior Turkish defence ministry returned to the issue on Thursday.
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