ISTANBUL: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan held a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, focusing on diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as initiatives aimed at restoring stability in Syria, according to a statement from Erdogan’s office on Sunday.
During the discussion, Erdogan expressed Turkey’s endorsement of Trump’s “decisive and direct initiatives” for achieving peace in Ukraine, reaffirming Turkey’s commitment to pursuing a “just and lasting peace.”
Erdogan also emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to lift sanctions imposed on Syria, arguing that such actions would facilitate a restoration of stability, rejuvenate the functionality of the new administration, and support the normalization process, ultimately allowing Syrian citizens to return to their homes.
In addition, Erdogan urged the United States to take steps in the fight against terrorism, ensuring that Turkey’s national interests are taken into account. This comes amid tensions over the U.S. alliance with a Kurdish militia in Syria, viewed by Turkey as a terrorist organization, leading to accusations of betrayal against a NATO ally.
The Turkish president highlighted the importance of ending the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions, concluding the procurement of F-16 fighter jets, and reinstating Turkey’s participation in the F-35 program to foster defense industry cooperation between Turkey and the United States.
Turkey’s prior acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems resulted in U.S. sanctions and Turkey’s expulsion from the F-35 fighter jet program in 2019.
