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 instructed Trump that Turkey helps his “decisive and direct initiatives” to finish the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and that Turkey will proceed to attempt 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 practical and help normalisation,” the assertion stated, including that this may allow Syrians to return to their homeland.
Turkey additionally expects steps from the US relating to the combat towards terrorism, making an allowance for 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 needed to finish CAATSA sanctions, finalise Ankara’s F-16 procurement course of and its re-participation within the F-35 programme in an effort to develop defence trade cooperation between Turkey and the US.
Ankara’s previous buy of Russian S-400 air defence techniques prompted US sanctions and Turkey’s removing from the F-35 fighter jet programme in 2019.