In their first official call since Trump took office, Erdogan and Trump discussed the Russia-Ukraine war, Syria’s stability, and U.S. sanctions on Turkey. Erdogan emphasized the need for better coordination, support for peace efforts, and lifting sanctions to facilitate financial aid for Syria. Notably absent was a mention of Turkey’s demand to end U.S. support for the Kurdish forces linked to Turkey’s adversaries in the region.
On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Donald Trump engaged in their inaugural official conversation since Trump’s return to office. The discussion covered critical topics such as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the situation in Syria, and the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Turkey, as reported by Turkey’s Presidential Communications Directorate.
Erdogan expressed his support for Trump’s initiatives aimed at concluding the three-year conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of enhanced collaboration between Ankara and Washington. Additionally, he addressed the situation in Syria, where approximately 2,000 U.S. troops are collaborating with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces against the Islamic State, underlining the necessity for stability restoration and the alleviation of U.S. sanctions.
Sanctions present a significant barrier to essential financial assistance that regional actors, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, are hesitant to offer due to concerns about repercussions from the global financial framework. Notably absent from Turkey’s statement was any reference to its persistent call for the U.S. to cease its partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces, linked to a Kurdish group that poses challenges for Turkey.
Erdogan also urged the Trump administration to remove sanctions imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which affect Turkey’s defense sector due to its acquisition of Russian S400 missile batteries and prior military actions in northern Syria. As of this writing, there has been no official statement issued by the White House regarding this call.
During Trump’s first presidential term, the relationship between him and Erdogan was often complex, characterized by both camaraderie and friction. Past tensions were exacerbated by Turkey’s detention of an American pastor on dubious terrorism charges. However, Trump’s recent remarks reflected a positive rapport, stating, “President Erdogan is a friend of mine. He’s a guy I like, respect. I think he respects me also.”
The first official conversation between Presidents Erdogan and Trump highlights significant diplomatic efforts regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in Syria. Erdogan’s calls for closer coordination and the lifting of U.S. sanctions underscore ongoing geopolitical challenges. Their past interactions illustrate the intricate relationship between the two leaders, which combines both collaboration and tension as they navigate regional and international issues.
Original Source: www.al-monitor.com
