Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives at the White House on Thursday, where he will meet him.
Their “freezing” in the sales of fighter aircraft to Turkey, Ankara’s relations with, the crises in and, as well as the tense relationship with Israel, are high on the agenda of a visit that could reshape balances in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
During its first term, the United States had blocked Turkey’s participation in the F-35 fighter program when Ankara purchased an anti-aircraft system from Russia. US officials were concerned that the use of the Russian S-400 system could be used to collect data on the capabilities of the F-35, which would end up in Moscow.
‘We expect a positive outcome’
Last week, however, Trump hoped Turkey that he was approaching a solution, announcing his plans for Erdogan’s visit.
“We are working on many trade and military agreements with the president, including a large-scale Boeing aircraft market, an important F-16 agreement and the continuation of the F-35 talks, which we expect to end up positively,” Trump said in a post.
The visit will be Erdogan’s first White House after 2019. The two leaders had developed what Trump described as “very good relationship” despite the often complex US -Turkish relations.
Concern about Erdogan ties with Russia
US officials have expressed concerns about Turkey’s historian in human rights under Erdogan and its close ties with Russia. Tensions with Israel, another key US ally for Gaza and Syria have also made it difficult for Ankara at times.
Erdogan has clearly stated that he wants to end the embargo on the F-35s. “I don’t think this fits into a strategic partnership and I don’t think it’s the right way,” he said in an interview with Fox News. Turkish officials say they have already paid $ 1.4 billion for fighters.
The four years of “exile”
The Biden government kept Erdogan within four years of his term, due to Turkey’s backlash in the democracy and Ankara’s close relations with Moscow.
Opposition parties and human rights organizations accuse Erdogan of undermining democracy and restricted freedom of expression during his 20 -year power.
Trump, on the other hand, sees Erdogan as a crucial partner and reliable mediator in his attempt to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Its government is largely aligned with Turkey’s approach to Syria, as well as the two countries redefine their stance after the fall of Bashar al-Assad last December.
The thorn with Israel
Both Trump and European leaders followed Erdogan in recognizing Syrian President Ahmad al-Saras, a former head of a group of guerrillas that had been a terrorist organization. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Al-Saras on Monday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Erdogan attempts to present Turkey as a point of stability in a hectic period, arguing that his country can play a key role for European security and bridge geopolitical contrasts on issues such as Ukraine, Syria and US trade duties.
Ankara also believes that it has emerged as a credible mediator in the Black Sea, maintaining relations with both Ukraine and Russia. In Syria, the guerrilla forces supported by Turkey seized power last year in December, which exacerbated the already strained relations with Israel.
Trump, for his part, has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be “reasonable” in his attitude towards Ankara.
On Tuesday, with the participation of eight Arab and Muslim countries, focusing on the almost two -year war in Gaza.
The Turkish leader has fiercely criticized Israel for war management.
In his speech at the General Assembly, Erdogan again accused Israel of genocide – a category rejecting the US and Israel. “This is not a fight against terrorism,” he said. “It is possession, expulsion, exile, genocide and destruction of lives, a mass destruction policy that is justified by citing the events of October 7.”
