Trump Presses Erdogan on Russian energy ties During White House Visit
WASHINGTON D.C. – President donald Trump urged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to curtail energy purchases from Russia during their meeting at the White House today, marking Erdogan’s first visit to the residence in over six years.The meeting centered on bolstering economic adn defense ties between the two nations, but was underscored by the U.S. desire to diminish Russia’s influence over Turkey.
The high-stakes encounter comes as Turkey seeks to diversify its energy sources and navigate complex geopolitical relationships. While discussions encompassed potential deals in energy, defense, and civil aviation, the issue of Turkey’s reliance on Russian energy imports loomed large, reflecting broader U.S. efforts to isolate Moscow amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact Turkey’s economic future and its standing within NATO.
A key component of Erdogan’s agenda involved securing progress on defense matters, specifically the removal or easing of sanctions imposed after Turkey acquired Russian S-400 missile systems. These sanctions led to Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program. Erdogan is seeking a pathway to purchase F-16 jets and associated modernization kits.
On the energy front, Turkey recently finalized a 20-year Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) deal with Mercuria to procure U.S. LNG, with an expected total supply of 70 billion cubic meters (bcm) over the period. This deal follows similar agreements with Exxon Mobil, Shell, and TotalEnergies, signaling Turkey’s intent to diversify its energy supply.
Discussions also touched upon a potential agreement for Turkish Airlines to purchase over 200 aircraft from Boeing. Beyond bilateral trade, the leaders addressed broader regional issues, including potential avenues for Ukraine-Russia talks, and the situations in Syria and Gaza, with Israel’s involvement in those conflicts.
