US President Donald Trump said on Thursday during a meeting with the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the White House that Ankara's best contribution to the end of the war in Ukraine would be to stop buying oil and gas from Russia.
Trump emphasized that Erdogan is very respected by both the leader of Ukraine and Russia. “Everyone respects Erdogan. I also think that it can have a big impact if he wants, but now he is very neutral. He likes to be neutral. I also like to be neutral” – said the American leader.
“The best he could do is not buy oil and gas from Russia,” added Trump.
Trump disappointed with Putin
The US president repeated that he was very disappointed with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. “I think it's time for the war to end” He said.
Trump pointed out that Russia is fighting “hard and long”, but without success. “(Russians) lost a million soldiers. Despite the hard bombing in recent weeks, they have not gained almost any territory,” he said.
“Russia spent millions of dollars on bombs, missiles, ammunition, human life, and they did not gain virtually any territory. I really think it's time for it to end. Putin should stop” – emphasized Trump.
Weapons, sanctions and trade in the center of conversations
Trump announced that he would talk to Erdogan about the sale of F-35 and F-16 aircraft and Patriot rocket systems. The topics of the meeting are also to be trade and customs duties. The American leader pointed out that in the case of “good conversation” the United States can almost immediately bear sanctions against Turkey.
In 2017, Ankara bought the S-400 anti-aircraft defense sets from Russia, which caused a sharp reaction of Washington. As a result, Türkiye was excluded from the Fifth Generation F-35 fighter production and development program and covered by sanctions.
Ankara tries to maintain the correct relationships with both Kiev and Highlands. The Turkish side ensures that it supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including Crimea. At the same time, Turkey and Russia are connected by strong economic ties – Ankara buys natural gas from Moscow, and both countries cooperate with, among others in the construction of Turkish nuclear power plants.
