Economic Diplomatic Developments
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently engaged in discussions with former U.S. President Donald Trump concerning critical geopolitical issues, including the potential lifting of sanctions on Syria and collaborative efforts aimed at concluding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as military cooperation regarding modern American fighter jets.
In a statement from the Turkish presidency, Erdogan underscored the significance of joint efforts between Turkey and the United States to eliminate the sanctions levied against Syria. He articulated that this action could facilitate the restoration of stability within the nation and the revitalization of its new government.
Erdogan emphasized that removing these sanctions would allow Syrian citizens the opportunity to return to their homeland.
Since the onset of the Syrian revolution in 2011, the Assad regime has faced numerous allegations of human rights violations. In response, the United States, along with the European Union and several other nations, including the United Kingdom, has imposed various sanctions on Damascus. These measures have included asset freezes, restrictions on financial transactions, limitations on technology transfers, and a prohibition on engaging with the Syrian government.
While some sanctions have been modified following the change in political dynamics after Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the remaining Western sanctions continue to obstruct Syria’s recovery and development.
Efforts Towards Ending the Ukraine Conflict
On the subject of the Ukraine crisis, President Erdogan expressed his support for the decisive actions undertaken by President Trump to resolve the tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Erdogan reiterated Turkey’s commitment to fostering a just and sustainable peace since the onset of the war and affirmed that Turkey would persist in its peace-building efforts.
Acquisition of American Fighter Jets
Additionally, Erdogan highlighted the importance of addressing Turkey’s interests in acquiring American F-16 fighters, as well as the reinstatement of its participation in the F-35 manufacturing program.
In December 2020, the United States imposed sanctions targeting Turkish defense industries after Turkey procured the Russian S-400 missile system. Following these sanctions, Turkey was expelled from the F-35 program, even though Ankara has maintained its readiness to fulfill all financial obligations related to the initiative.
For further updates, subscribe to our channel on Tilekram