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Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called upon Turkey to cease its oil purchases from Russia, as part of a broader effort to curtail Moscow’s energy revenues amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
During a meeting at the White House with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump stated that ceasing these imports would be “the best thing” his Turkish counterpart could do.
The meeting in the Oval Office concluded without any definitive commitments to lift U.S. sanctions on Turkey or to facilitate the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets, although Trump expressed optimism regarding both issues.
Turkey has been barred from purchasing U.S. F-35s for several years. In 2019, it was removed from a program in which it manufactured parts for the warplane after acquiring air defense systems from Russia.
During a brief question-and-answer session alongside Erdogan in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump stated his desire for Turkey to discontinue “buying any oil from Russia while Russia continues its rampage against Ukraine.”
“The best thing he could do is not buy oil and gas from Russia,” Trump remarked. “If he did that, that would be the best thing.”
Trump added that he believes Erdogan commands respect from both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting he could “have a big influence” on the war “if he wants to.”
Alongside India and China, Turkey stands as one of Moscow’s largest customers for oil and gas exports.
The former U.S. president’s comments follow just weeks after he indicated his readiness to impose stricter sanctions on Russia, contingent upon NATO countries meeting specific conditions, including halting imports of Russian oil.
Earlier this week, during a comprehensive address at the UN General Assembly, Trump also accused NATO allies of “funding the war against themselves” through their energy purchases from Moscow.
During Trump’s initial term in office, the U.S. removed Turkey from the F-35 program following its acquisition of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia.
A U.S. defense bill passed in 2020 incorporated an amendment that prohibited Turkey from acquiring F-35s, unless—and only if—the U.S. government could certify that it had abandoned the Russian S-400.
Certain U.S. lawmakers have voiced concerns regarding the potential sale, citing Turkish military incursions into Syria and past violations of Greek airspace.
Earlier this week, the bipartisan Hellenic Caucus in the U.S. Congress cautioned against allowing Turkey to purchase F-35s, referencing its military cooperation with Russia and a “disregard for international norms and democratic principles.”
However, in the Oval Office, Trump assured Erdogan that he would “be successful” in acquiring the items he “would like to buy.”
“He needs certain things, and we need certain things,” he said. “And we’re going to come to a conclusion. You’ll know by the end of the day.”
In an interview with Fox News this week, Erdogan commented on the F-35 ban, stating, “I don’t think it is very becoming of a strategic partnership.”
Trump also suggested that sanctions against Turkey—implemented in 2020 following the S-400 purchase—could be lifted “very soon.”
“If we have a good meeting, almost immediately,” he added.
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