On a recent call, Turkish President Erdogan and U.S. President Trump discussed the Ukraine war, Syrian stability, and defense issues, emphasizing cooperation and Turkey’s support for peace initiatives. Erdogan called for lifting sanctions on Syria and mentioned the importance of addressing Turkey’s interests in the fight against terrorism.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan engaged in a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump to address multiple pressing issues, as reported by Erdogan’s office. During this discussion, Erdogan expressed Turkey’s support for Trump’s proactive measures aimed at concluding the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing Turkey’s commitment to pursuing a fair and enduring peace.
The dialogue also covered the necessity of lifting sanctions on Syria to foster stability, enhance the functionality of the new administration, and facilitate the normalization process. Additionally, Erdogan mentioned that such actions would aid in the return of Syrian citizens to their homeland.
Erdogan urged the United States to undertake measures in combating terrorism while considering Turkey’s national interests. This appeal is particularly significant given the U.S. alliance with a Syrian Kurdish militia, which Turkey deems a terrorist entity, leading to assertions of betrayal towards a NATO ally.
Erdogan further highlighted the need to abolish CAATSA sanctions, expedite the F-16 procurement process, and reintegrate Turkey into the F-35 program to bolster defense collaboration between Turkey and the U.S. Turkey’s acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems had previously resulted in sanctions and its expulsion from the F-35 initiative in 2019.
In summary, President Erdogan’s conversation with President Trump covered essential topics, including the resolution of the Ukraine conflict, stability in Syria, and cooperation in defense matters. Erdogan showed Turkey’s commitment to peace and urged the U.S. to consider Turkish interests in its anti-terrorism efforts. Additionally, he called for the lifting of sanctions to facilitate Turkey’s defense procurements and enhance bilateral relations.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
