Erdogan, Trump Discusses Ukraine And Syria Defence Issues

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan discussed with U.S. President Donald Trump, through phone on efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine as well as to restore stability in Syria, according to Erdogan’s office on Sunday.

He told Trump that Turkey supports his “decisive and direct initiatives” to end the war between Russia and Ukraine and that Turkey will continue to strive for a “just and lasting peace”, the statement said.

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Erdogan also spoke of “the importance of jointly contributing to the lifting of sanctions on Syria to restore stability, make the new administration functional and support normalisation,” the statement said, adding that this would enable Syrians to return to their homeland.

Turkey also expects steps from the United States regarding the fight against terrorism, taking into account Turkey’s interests, it said.

In the battle against Islamic State in Syria, the United States is allied with a Syrian Kurdish militia that Turkey regards as a terrorist group. Turkey has sharply criticised this U.S. stance as a betrayal of a NATO ally.

Erdogan said it was necessary to end CAATSA sanctions, finalise Ankara’s F-16 procurement process and its re-participation in the F-35 programme in order to develop defence industry cooperation between Turkey and the United States.

Reuters/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma