In their inaugural conversation, Turkish President Erdogan and U.S. President Trump discussed the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in Syria, and U.S. sanctions on Turkey. Erdogan called for enhanced bilateral coordination to address these crises, while omitting Turkey’s demand to end its partnership with Kurdish forces in Syria. He further urged the lifting of sanctions imposed on Turkey’s defense sector associated with prior engagements in Syria and weapon acquisitions from Russia.
On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan engaged in his first official conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump since the latter’s return to office. The discussion encompassed vital topics, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the situation in Syria, and the potential lifting of U.S. sanctions on Turkey, as conveyed by Turkey’s Presidential Communications Directorate.
Erdogan expressed his support for Trump’s initiatives aimed at concluding the protracted war in Ukraine and highlighted the necessity for enhanced coordination between Ankara and Washington. Additionally, he addressed the Syrian conflict, where approximately 2,000 American forces collaborate with Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to combat the Islamic State, urging for restoration of stability and the cessation of sanctions that hinder financial aid from regional allies, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The readout from Ankara notably omitted Turkey’s longstanding demand for the U.S. to terminate its partnership with the Syrian Democratic Forces due to their perceived ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party, a group involved in a protracted armed conflict against Turkey. This omission may reflect Turkey’s current negotiations with the Kurdistan Workers Party to conclude its decades-long insurgency.
Erdogan also advocated for the elimination of sanctions imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, citing their connection to Turkey’s acquisition of Russian S400 missile systems and Turkey’s military intervention in northern Syria in 2019. At the time of this article’s publication, no official response had been issued by the White House regarding the conversation.
During Trump’s initial term, he and Erdogan maintained a complex relationship, occasionally strained by incidents such as the arrest of an American pastor based on dubious terrorism allegations. In January, Trump publicly expressed his friendship with Erdogan, stating, “President Erdogan is a friend of mine. He’s a guy I like, respect. I think he respects me also.”
The recent phone conversation between Presidents Erdogan and Trump highlights significant geopolitical concerns, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the stabilizing of Syria. Erdogan’s emphasis on cooperative efforts underscores Turkey’s strategic interests, particularly regarding U.S. sanctions and military partnerships. The dialogue may pave the way for improved relations, yet complex issues remain that could influence future interactions between the two nations.
Original Source: www.al-monitor.com
