Erdogan Hopes for Stronger Ties with the US Under Trump’s Presidency
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed optimism about strengthening ties with the United States following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 US presidential election. Speaking to journalists on November 7, 2024, during his return flight from official visits to Kyrgyzstan and Hungary, Erdogan outlined his hopes for a new chapter in Türkiye-US relations.
“We invited him to our country. I hope he accepts our invitation, and thus we can strengthen our cooperation with the United States in a different way than in the past,” Erdogan said, reflecting on the challenges in the bilateral relationship, particularly the issues surrounding the F-35 fighter jets and the S-400 missile system.
The Turkish president emphasized that he intends to continue engaging with Trump through “telephone diplomacy” to address key issues in the Middle East, particularly the US military presence in Syria. Erdogan reiterated his concerns about US support for Kurdish groups, which Türkiye considers terrorist organizations, including the PKK, PYD, and YPG. “We will discuss how the US will end its support for these groups,” he stated, recalling Trump’s past promises to halt such support.
Erdogan also expressed his hopes for a lasting peace in the region, specifically regarding Israel’s actions. “We want that promise to be fulfilled and for Israel to be told to ‘stop,’” Erdogan remarked, indicating his desire for a peaceful resolution during Trump’s second term in office.
Regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Erdogan noted that US and Western efforts to end the war might gain momentum under Trump’s administration. “If the Trump administration adopts a problem-solving approach, this war could be swiftly ended,” he said, emphasizing Türkiye’s diplomatic stance on Ukraine, which has remained neutral while supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
On the issue of terrorism, Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to its ongoing fight against terrorism. “Nothing will change in our fight against terrorism,” he declared. “We will continue our determination in the same way, tracking terrorists in Syria and Iraq and eradicating terrorism at its source. We will not allow the establishment of a terrorist base beyond our borders.”
Erdogan’s comments indicate a determination to pursue a robust and strategic partnership with the US while addressing key regional issues and continuing Türkiye’s counterterrorism efforts without compromise.
