In a high-profile meeting at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to cease purchasing oil from Russia, emphasizing the importance of cutting off Moscow’s energy revenue as the conflict in Ukraine persists. Speaking alongside Erdogan, Trump described halting Russian oil imports as ‘the best thing’ Turkey could do to support global efforts against Russia’s aggression. The meeting concluded without concrete agreements on lifting U.S. sanctions on Turkey or advancing the sale of F-35 fighter jets, though Trump remained optimistic about resolving these issues. Turkey has been barred from acquiring F-35s since 2019 after it procured Russian S-400 air defense systems, leading to its expulsion from the F-35 production program. Trump highlighted Erdogan’s unique position as a leader respected by both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that Turkey could play a pivotal role in influencing the war. Turkey, alongside India and China, remains one of Russia’s largest oil and gas customers. Trump’s remarks follow his recent warning to NATO allies about ‘funding the war against themselves’ through Russian energy purchases. The U.S. president also hinted at the possibility of lifting sanctions on Turkey ‘very soon’ if the meeting yielded positive outcomes. Meanwhile, bipartisan concerns in the U.S. Congress persist over Turkey’s military actions in Syria and its cooperation with Russia, casting doubt on the potential F-35 sale.
Trump urges Turkey to stop buying Russian oil as Erdogan chases deal on F-35s
