Bloomberg news agency, citing sources, reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House in April.
Media reports said Erdogan sees strengthening the strategic partnership between Ankara and Washington as important for regional stability as Turkey seeks to become a leading mediator in resolving a range of issues, from Ukraine to Syria.
Erdogan’s administration, however, declined to comment. On Sunday, March 16, Erdogan called Trump and urged the US president to lift sanctions imposed on the Turkish defense industry during his first term for purchasing Russian S-400 air defense systems.
He also asked Turkey to be reinstated in the F-35 fighter jet program and to complete a deal to sell new F-16s. Erdogan’s appeal to the US comes amid a push for closer defense and economic cooperation with the EU as European countries seek ways to reduce their dependence on Washington.
