Trump to Erdogan: “Greek Orthodox Church Wants Help in Turkey”

US President Donald Trump (R) meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) successful the Oval Office of the White House. Credit: Yuri Gripas / EPA via AMNA

US President Donald Trump met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan successful Washington for high-stakes talks covering defence cooperation, determination conflicts, and bilateral trade. The meeting, held successful the Oval Office, underscored some leaders’ efforts to reset relations contempt ongoing tensions.

Before the gathering began, some President Trump and President Erdogan addressed reporters successful the Oval Office. When asked astir the agenda, Erdogan said the talks would see the reopening of the Greek schoolhouse of Halki, arsenic good arsenic the merchantability of F-35 and F-16 combatant jets.

He added that Turkey was “ready to bash immoderate we tin connected our side” and that helium would besides sermon the substance with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to research however the seminary’s reopening could determination forward.

Trump, for his part, confirmed the contented had been raised with him days earlier during his gathering with Bartholomew astatine the White House. “The Greek Orthodox Church was present and they would truly similar immoderate help, and I said I would bring it up,” the US President said.

US President Donald Trump (R) shakes hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) during their gathering successful the Oval Office. Credit: Yuri Gripas / EPA via AMNA

Defense deals and sanctions

During their associated statements, Trump described Erdogan arsenic a “friend” and a “remarkable man,” portion Erdoğan emphasized Turkey’s readiness to “take relations to different level.”

Trump noted that the 2 sides would sermon Patriot rocket systems and the F-35 program, adding: “We are asking for circumstantial things, and we volition scope a conclusion.”

He suggested that if talks progressed well, sanctions connected Turkey could beryllium lifted “almost automatically.” Trade tariffs were besides connected the table.

Gaza and Middle East tensions

Turning to the struggle successful Gaza, Trump said helium wanted an contiguous halt to the warring and the merchandise of each hostages.

“I privation the warfare to halt now, and I privation each the hostages back—not 1 contiguous and different adjacent week. I privation them each now,” helium said.

He clarified that helium did not expect Erdogan to mediate the hostage issue, portion announcing plans to conscionable Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu soon.

US President Donald Trump (L) welcomes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) to the White House. Credit: Will Oliver / EPA via AMNA

War successful Ukraine and Russia’s role

On Ukraine, Trump remarked that Erdogan knows Russian President Vladimir Putin well, conscionable arsenic helium does. He repeated his content that the struggle could person been resolved much easy than different planetary crises but acknowledged the war’s persistence.

Trump described Russia arsenic a “paper tiger,” informing that if the warfare continues, Moscow’s vulnerabilities volition go clear. He urged Turkey to halt purchasing Russian oil, stressing:

“This warfare has already outgo millions of lives. For what reason? It’s a disgrace. Putin indispensable stop.”

Trade relations connected the agenda

Looking ahead, Trump said some countries were poised to prosecute caller economical opportunities.

“We’re going to marque immoderate large commercialized deals for some nations,” helium said, hinting astatine efforts to grow bilateral commerce alongside the broader strategical discussions.