Turkish FM: Erdoğan-Trump meeting depends on mutual decision

A potential meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump will depend on the two leaders' mutual decision, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.

"We are currently discussing when and where the meeting between President Erdoğan and President Trump will take place. It should happen in the near future," Fidan stated, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

He emphasized that the relationship between the Turkish and US presidents is based on mutual respect, suggesting a solid foundation for high-level dialogue amid ongoing regional and global developments.

On March 16, 2025, Presidents Erdoğan and Trump held a phone call to discuss efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, restore stability in Syria, and enhance defense cooperation. Erdoğan expressed support for Trump's initiatives aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and emphasized the importance of lifting sanctions on Syria to facilitate normalization and the return of Syrian refugees. Additionally, they deliberated on Türkiye's potential re-entry into the F-35 fighter jet program and addressed concerns regarding Türkiye's acquisition of the Russian S-400 defense system. ​

In early April 2025, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump praised Erdoğan as "very smart" and suggested that he could act as a mediator between Israel and Türkiye. This comment came amid tensions involving Türkiye's influence in Syria and Israel's objections to Turkish actions in the region.

By Khagan Isayev