ISTANBUL: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan spoke by telephone with US President Donald Trump and mentioned efforts to finish the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and to revive stability in Syria, Erdogan’s workplace stated on Sunday (Mar 16).
He advised Trump that Turkey helps his “decisive and direct initiatives” to finish the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and that Turkey will proceed to try for a “simply and lasting peace”, the assertion stated.
Erdogan additionally spoke of “the significance of collectively contributing to the lifting of sanctions on Syria to revive stability, make the brand new administration purposeful and help normalisation,” the assertion stated, including that this might allow Syrians to return to their homeland.
Turkey additionally expects steps from the US concerning the battle towards terrorism, considering Turkey’s pursuits, it stated.
Within the battle towards Islamic State in Syria, the US is allied with a Syrian Kurdish militia that Turkey regards as a terrorist group. Turkey has sharply criticised this US stance as a betrayal of a NATO ally.
Erdogan stated it was obligatory to finish CAATSA sanctions, finalise Ankara’s F-16 procurement course of and its re-participation within the F-35 programme so as to develop defence business cooperation between Turkey and the US.
Ankara’s previous buy of Russian S-400 air defence techniques prompted US sanctions and Turkey’s elimination from the F-35 fighter jet programme in 2019.