US President Donald Trump has called on Turkey to refrain from purchasing oil from Russia, as part of a broader initiative to sever Moscow’s energy revenue amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
While alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House, Trump stated that ceasing these imports would be “the best thing” his Turkish counterpart could accomplish.
The gathering in the Oval Office concluded without solid commitments to remove US sanctions on Turkey or to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets, despite Trump’s expressed hope regarding both matters.
Turkey has been barred from acquiring US F-35s for years. In 2019, it was removed from a program in which it manufactured components for the fighter jet after securing air defense systems from Russia.
During a short Q&A session with Erdogan in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump remarked that he would like Turkey to stop “buying any oil from Russia while Russia continues its aggression against Ukraine”.
“The best thing he could do is to refrain from purchasing oil and gas from Russia,” Trump noted. “If he did that, it would be the best thing.”
Trump further stated that he believes Erdogan is esteemed by both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting he could “have a significant influence” on the conflict “if he desires”.
Along with India and China, Turkey is one of Moscow’s largest buyers of oil and gas, with data indicating that the amount of Russian gas flowing into Europe via Turkey increased by over 26% earlier this year.
The remarks from the US president come just weeks after he indicated his readiness to implement stricter sanctions on Russia if NATO countries fulfilled conditions that included halting imports of Russian oil.
Earlier this week – in a lengthy address at the UN General Assembly – Trump also criticized NATO allies for “funding the war against themselves” through their acquisition of energy from Moscow.
During Trump’s initial term, the US removed Turkey from the F-35 program subsequent to its purchase of S-400 missile systems from Russia.
A US defense bill approved in 2020 included a provision that barred Turkey from obtaining F-35s unless – and only if – the US government could certify that it had abandoned the Russian S-400.
Certain US lawmakers have voiced apprehensions regarding the potential sale due to Turkish military operations in Syria and previous breaches of Greek airspace.
Earlier this week, the bipartisan Hellenic Caucus in the US Congress cautioned against permitting Turkey to acquire F-35s, citing its military collaboration with Russia and a “disregard for international norms and democratic values”.
In the Oval Office, however, Trump assured Erdogan that he would “be successful” in acquiring the items he would “like to purchase”.
“He requires certain items, and we have needs as well,” he stated. “And we will reach an agreement. You will be informed by the end of the day.”
In an interview with Fox News on Monday, Erdogan remarked on the F-35 restriction: “I don’t find it very appropriate for a strategic partnership.”
Trump also indicated that sanctions imposed on Turkey in 2020 following the S-400 acquisition could be lifted “very soon”.
“If we have a constructive meeting, almost instantaneously,” he added.
The meeting between Trump and Erdogan marks their second encounter this week, following a brief conversation they had regarding Gaza at the UN General Assembly with leaders from numerous Arab and Muslim countries.
In his Fox interview, Erdogan also accused US ally Israel of carrying out a “complete genocide” in Gaza and held Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible – a view sharply contrasting with Trump’s public statements.
In the Oval Office on Thursday, however, both the US and Turkish presidents avoided any open disagreement on the topic. Israel denies allegations of committing genocide in Gaza.
