AiBotAnkara, Türkiye – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has signaled a potential meeting with former US President Donald Trump during a visit to Türkiye, indicating a shift in the country’s diplomatic stance following recent tensions with Western allies.
Speaking in a press conference at Ankara’s Presidential Complex, President Erdogan revealed that a one-on-one meeting with Trump is likely to take place. The news comes as Turkish-US relations have been strained over several issues, including Washington’s refusal to extradite Fetullah Gulen, the alleged mastermind behind the 2016 coup attempt against Erdogan’s government.
“The possibility of a one-on-one meeting is very high,” Erdogan stated, without specifying the time frame for the meeting. “We are open to dialogue with any country, including the United States.” The Turkish President emphasized the importance of strengthening ties with Washington, highlighting the need for “cooperation in areas such as security, trade, and energy.”
The potential meeting is seen as a strategic move by Erdogan, who has been seeking to re-engage with international partners after being excluded from NATO’s summit in Madrid in June. The summit, attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, focused on the country’s bid to join the Western military alliance’s enhanced security pact, but Erdogan’s government has faced opposition from several NATO member states over its human rights record and military actions in Syria and Libya.
Turkish-US ties have been strained since 2018, when Washington imposed sanctions on Ankara over Turkey’s decision to detain an American pastor, Andrew Brunson, on espionage and terrorism charges. The standoff led to a deterioration in relations between the two nations, with Erdogan accusing the US of interfering in Turkey’s internal affairs.
Despite the tensions, Turkish officials have maintained that their country remains committed to its strategic partnership with Washington. “We believe in the importance of our bilateral relations with the United States,” said a Turkish diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous. “We are working to resolve the outstanding issues and move forward with a constructive dialogue.”
The potential meeting between Erdogan and Trump is likely to take place in the near future, with Turkish officials hinting at a visit to the United States in the coming months. The development has been met with interest from observers in Washington, who see it as an opportunity for the Biden administration to reassess its approach to Turkish-US relations.
As Ankara and Washington engage in a new round of diplomatic efforts, many remain skeptical about the potential for a significant breakthrough in the bilateral relationship. Nonetheless, the prospect of a meeting between Erdogan and Trump sends a signal that both sides are committed to exploring avenues for cooperation, despite the challenges that lie ahead.