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US President Donald Trump has called on Turkey to stop buying oil from Russia, part of the broader desire to cut Moscow funding as the war in Ukraine rages.
Speaking with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the White House, Trump said the stopping of this import would be the “best thing” that his Turkish counterpart could do.
The oval office meeting ended without firm commitments to US sanctions on Turkey or sell advanced F-35 fighter jets, although Trump expressed optimism on both questions.
Turkey has been prevented from buying the F-35 for years. In 2019, he was expelled from a program in which he manufactured parts for the military aircraft after acquired air defense systems from Russia.
During a short session for questions and answers, along with Erdogan in the Oval Cabinet on Thursday, Trump said he would like to stop “buy every oil from Russia while Russia continues its rage against Ukraine.”
“The best thing he could do was not buy oil and gas from Russia,” Trump said. “If he did this, that would be the best thing.”
Trump added that he believes that Erdogan was respected by both Ukrainian President Volodomir Zelenski and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which means he could “have a great influence” on the war “if he wants.”
Along with India and China, Turkey is one of Moscow’s largest customers for oil and gas exports.
US President’s comments come just weeks after He said he was ready to impose more sanctions against Russia If NATO countries are eligible to suspend imports of Russian oil.
Earlier this week – during a prolonged speech of the UN General Assembly, Trump also accused NATO allies of “financing the war against himself” through his energy purchases from Moscow.
During the first Trump term of office, the United States removed Turkey from the F-35 program after purchased S-400 missiles from surface-to-air missiles from Russia.
The US Defense Bill, adopted in 2020, included a change that prevented Turkey from acquiring F -35, unless – and only if – the US government was able to certify that it had abandoned the Russian S -400.
Some US legislators have expressed concerns about the potential sale for Turkish military invasions in Syria and past violations of Greek airspace.
Earlier this week, the bilateral Hellenic Cauk in the US Congress warned not to allow Turkey to buy the F-35, citing its military cooperation with Russia and “neglecting international norms and democratic principles.”
In the Oval Cabinet, however, Trump told Erdogan that he would be “successful” with buying the things he would like to buy. ”
“He needs certain things and we need certain things,” he said. “And we will come to a conclusion. You will find out by the end of the day.”
In an interview with Fox News this week, Erdogan told the ban on the F-35: “I don’t think this is a lot of strategic partnership.”
Trump also said that sanctions on Turkey – implemented in 2020 after the purchase of the S -400 – can be canceled “very soon”.
“If we have a good meeting, almost immediately,” he added.
