Trump Hails Erdoğan as 'Respected Leader' Amid Contentious Issues

For the first time since 2019, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan set foot in the White House, meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in what many observers saw as a high-stakes diplomatic encounter. The meeting highlighted ongoing regional crises as well as the future of U.S.-Turkey relations.

Friendly tone despite recent frictions

In the Oval Office, both leaders projected warmth. Trump described Erdoğan as “a very respected leader, not only in his country but across Europe and the world,” while Erdoğan said he was pleased to return to Washington and hoped to elevate bilateral ties “to a much higher level.”

Despite these gestures, the relationship has been strained in recent years, largely due to Turkey’s continued economic ties with Russia and disputes over defense cooperation.

Gaza ceasefire negotiations

At the top of the agenda was the war in Gaza, which has claimed more than 65,000 Palestinian lives since October 2023. Trump told reporters that the United States was “very close to a deal” for a ceasefire, stressing that the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza remained a key condition.

“I believe we can get it done. Too many people are dying,” Trump said. Erdoğan backed Trump’s peace efforts, highlighting the presence of regional actors such as Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia in the talks.

Strong words for Russia

Trump also touched on the war in Ukraine, which has dragged on since Russia’s invasion in 2022. He criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling the war “a waste of human life,” and urged Russia to halt its offensive.

At the same time, he pushed Erdoğan to reduce Turkey’s purchases of Russian oil, signaling continued U.S. concerns about Ankara’s trade with Moscow.

Defense cooperation back on the table

Another focal point was military cooperation. In 2019, Turkey was expelled from the F-35 fighter jet program over security concerns linked to its use of Russian systems.

Now, Trump suggested he may lift sanctions on Turkey’s defense industry and resume aircraft sales. “He’s wanted the F-35 for a long time,” Trump said of Erdoğan, adding that discussions also included F-16 deliveries.

Syria announcement ahead

Trump also hinted at a “major announcement” on Syria, though he gave no details. Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government last December, Washington has begun easing sanctions on Syria. Trump credited Erdoğan with playing a significant role in those developments.

Erdoğan’s symbolic return

Analysts described the visit as an important symbolic step for Erdoğan, who had been excluded from the White House for four years. For the Turkish president, the meeting was as much about international optics as it was about concrete policy outcomes.