U.S. President Urges Turkey to Halt Russian Oil Purchases, Offering F-35 Jets

The President of the United States recently held a meeting with the Turkish President at the White House, during which the former urged Turkey to halt its purchases of Russian oil. This call to action was framed as a strategic move to support Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. The President emphasized that Turkey should refrain from buying oil and gas from Russia, highlighting the geopolitical implications of such a decision. The conversation also touched on the possibility of Turkey re-entering the joint production and procurement program for the F-35 fighter jets, a move that would depend on Turkey's support for U.S. objectives and its efforts to persuade the Kremlin to end the conflict in Ukraine.

The President indicated that the decision to sell the F-35 jets to Turkey would be contingent on Turkey's actions and its alignment with U.S. goals. When asked about the potential timeline for lifting sanctions on Turkey, the President suggested that if the talks went well, the sanctions could be lifted almost immediately. The President also commended the Turkish President for his leadership within his own country but stressed the importance of stopping oil purchases from Russia during the ongoing conflict. The meeting underscored the strategic importance of Turkey's actions in the context of the broader geopolitical landscape, with the President indicating that Turkey's cooperation could pave the way for future military and economic partnerships.

The President's remarks highlighted the transactional nature of the meeting, which was part of a broader effort to pressure U.S. allies to reduce their reliance on Russian energy. The Turkish President, in turn, had his own motivations for making concessions during the White House meeting. The discussions covered a range of topics, including aviation, defense, and energy deals, as Turkey sought to mend its strained relationship with Washington. The President expressed confidence in the Turkish President's actions, stating that he believed Turkey would stop purchasing Russian oil and do what is right. This meeting was a significant step in the ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the geopolitical challenges posed by the conflict in Ukraine and the broader energy dynamics in the region.