Turkish President Erdogan and U.S. President Trump held their first official call, discussing the Russia-Ukraine war, Syria’s stability, and U.S. sanctions on Turkey. Erdogan expressed support for ending the conflict in Ukraine and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts. He also called for lifting sanctions impacting Syrian aid, while notably not mentioning Turkey’s request regarding U.S. relations with Syrian Kurdish groups.
On a recent call between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump, the leaders discussed key geopolitical issues including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the situation in Syria. This conversation marked their first official communication since Trump’s return to office, as detailed by Turkey’s Presidential Communications Directorate.
Erdogan extended his support for Trump’s initiative to terminate the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, advocating for improved coordination between Turkey and the United States. Additionally, he addressed the Syrian conflict, noting the presence of approximately 2,000 U.S. troops collaborating with Kurdish-led forces against the Islamic State. He emphasized the necessity of restoring stability in Syria while also lifting U.S. sanctions that hinder financial aid post-civil war.
The sanctions in question obstruct crucial financial support from regional powers such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar towards Syria’s Islamist government, due to fear of repercussions from the global financial system. Notably, the official Turkish statement did not revisit the long-standing request for the U.S. to terminate its partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a move Turkey opposes due to alleged ties with Kurdish militants.
Erdogan also requested an end to U.S. sanctions stipulated under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which were imposed following Turkey’s acquisition of Russian S400 missile systems and its incursion into northern Syria in 2019.
As of the article’s publication, no comment had been released from the White House regarding the conversation. During Trump’s initial term, he and Erdogan maintained a complex relationship, occasionally strained due to issues such as the imprisonment of an American pastor in Turkey. Recently, Trump had expressed his admiration for Erdogan, stating, “President Erdogan is a friend of mine. He’s a guy I like, respect. I think he respects me also.”
In summary, the first official call between Presidents Erdogan and Trump since Trump’s return to office addressed significant issues including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Syria’s stability, and the lifting of U.S. sanctions imposed on Turkey. Both leaders highlighted the need for closer collaboration to tackle these complex geopolitical challenges and navigate their historically intricate relationship. The lack of response from the U.S. administration following the discussion indicates ongoing complexities that may require further diplomatic engagement.
Original Source: www.al-monitor.com
