Erdogan and Trump Discuss Key Geopolitical Issues in First Official Call
Turkish President Erdogan discussed the Russia-Ukraine war, Syria, and U.S. sanctions during his first call with President Trump. He emphasized collaboration to end the war, restore stability to Syria, and lift sanctions on Turkey’s defense sector. Notably, Turkey’s demand regarding the SDF was not mentioned. The history of their relationship has been marked by challenges, yet both leaders seem intent on strengthening ties.
In a significant development, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan engaged in his inaugural phone call with President Donald Trump since the latter’s return to office. The discussion primarily revolved around vital matters such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the circumstances in Syria, and the request to lift United States sanctions imposed on Turkey, as reported by Turkey’s Presidential Communications Directorate.
During the conversation, President Erdogan expressed his support for President Trump’s initiatives aimed at resolving the protracted Russia-Ukraine war. He underscored the necessity for enhanced collaboration between Ankara and Washington to facilitate this goal, as indicated in the directorate’s statement.
In addition to the Russia-Ukraine war, Erdogan emphasized the situation in Syria, where approximately 2,000 U.S. troops are allied with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against the Islamic State. He highlighted the urgent need for stability in Syria and the removal of sanctions that hinder financial support from neighboring nations such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which are reluctant to offer assistance due to fears of repercussions from the international financial system.
Notably, the Turkish readout omitted any reference to Turkey’s longstanding demand for the United States to terminate its collaboration with the SDF, citing their alleged ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), an organization engaged in an ongoing insurgency against Turkey. This omission may suggest Turkey’s current efforts to negotiate with the PKK towards ending decades of conflict.
Moreover, Erdogan reiterated his call for the lifting of sanctions imposed by the U.S. Congress under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which targets Turkey’s defense sector in light of its procurement of Russian S400 missile systems and its military actions in Northern Syria in 2019.
As of the time of this report, there had been no official response from the White House. Historically, Trump and Erdogan’s relationship has been characterized by a mix of cordiality and tension, particularly highlighted by Turkey’s detention of an American pastor on questionable terrorism charges. In January, Trump remarked on their friendship, expressing admiration for Erdogan’s respect towards him and noting that Erdogan had curtailed military actions against alleged adversaries, including the Kurds.
The inaugural telephone discussion between President Erdogan and President Trump marks a significant step in addressing key geopolitical issues, particularly the Russia-Ukraine war and the Syrian conflict. The emphasis on U.S.-Turkey cooperation and the call for lifting sanctions on Turkey’s defense industry reflect a desire for deeper bilateral engagement, despite previous complexities in their relationship. Both leaders appear focused on stabilizing the region while navigating longstanding contentious issues, such as the partnership with the SDF.
Original Source: www.al-monitor.com
