President Donald Trump, during his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the Oval Office, suggested that Erdoğan could prove highly influential in bringing an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, provided that he takes the necessary steps. Trump emphasized the impact of Turkey’s oil purchase decisions on the ongoing conflict, highlighting the role of Russian oil in funding the war efforts of President Vladimir Putin.
In the discussion, Trump expressed the hope that Turkey would cease all Russian oil purchases, which he described as ‘disgraceful’ given the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine. The president underscored the potential for Turkey’s actions to significantly alter the trajectory of the conflict. The conversation also touched upon potential U.S.-Turkish trade agreements and the possibility of resuming the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, a topic that had been previously paused due to Turkey’s acquisition of Russian air defense systems.
Erdoğan, as part of the discussions, mentioned the sale of U.S. F-35s to Turkey, an issue that had been blocked during Trump’s first term. The ongoing negotiations around lifting the ban on these sales were a key topic of the dialogue. Trump, while not explicitly stating whether he would lift the ban, indicated that it would be part of the broader consideration during the talks. Additionally, Trump mentioned the potential for imposing tariffs on Turkey, which would be discussed as part of the trade negotiations.
While Trump expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching a deal on F-16 fighter jets, he did not specify whether this would extend to the F-35s. Despite the ongoing discussions regarding Russian oil imports, the meeting also focused on the broader economic and military implications for U.S.-Turkish relations. The meeting highlighted the intricate balance between geopolitical strategy and economic cooperation, as Trump seeks to leverage Turkey’s position to influence the outcome of the Ukraine war.