Trump, Erdogan Discuss Ukraine, Gaza, Bilateral Cooperation in Phone Call

President Donald Trump has described his recent telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as “very good and productive,”Al Jazeera reports.

The two leaders discussed a variety of critical issues, including efforts to end the war in Ukraine, the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and Syria’s stability.

Trump revealed in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, that during the call, Erdogan invited him to visit Turkey, and in turn, Trump extended an invitation for the Turkish president to visit Washington, D.C. However, no specific dates for the visits were announced. A statement from Turkey’s presidency confirmed Erdogan’s invitation for Trump to visit Turkey.

The two leaders, who have maintained a positive relationship, especially during Trump’s first term, expressed their intent to collaborate on international conflicts. Trump emphasized the urgency of ending the war in Ukraine, calling the conflict “ridiculous but deadly,” and expressed his eagerness to work with Erdogan to bring it to a swift conclusion.

“I look forward to working with President Erdogan on getting the ridiculous but deadly War between Russia and Ukraine ended – NOW!” Trump posted.

Turkey, a NATO member, has worked to balance relations with both Russia and Ukraine, seeking diplomatic solutions. The country has also hosted peace talks aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine.

Erdogan also expressed appreciation for Trump’s diplomatic efforts, particularly in maintaining negotiations with Iran and working toward peace in Ukraine. The Turkish president further emphasized the need for a ceasefire in Gaza, citing the grave humanitarian crisis in the region.

“The humanitarian crisis has reached a grave level,” Erdogan said, urging for uninterrupted humanitarian aid and the swift end to the suffering in Gaza.

On the issue of Syria, Erdogan reiterated Turkey’s commitment to maintaining its territorial integrity and restoring stability in the region. He highlighted the importance of US efforts to ease sanctions on Syria and support its new government as a crucial step toward regional peace.

Regarding the relationship between the United States and Turkey, Erdogan reaffirmed his country’s dedication to strengthening cooperation with Washington, particularly in the defense sector.

Trump is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates next week.