Trump urges Erdogan to stop buying Russian oil as the two leaders met at the White House for high level talks. Trump expressed disappointment with Russia and pressed Turkey to cut its energy ties with Moscow while Erdogan sought defense and trade deals worth billions.
The meeting comes as Erdogan looks to secure deals with Washington worth billions of dollars including F-35 fighter jets and more than 200 commercial planes. Both leaders also plan to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza and wider Middle East tensions.
Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO countries for continuing to depend on Russian oil and gas. At the UN earlier this week he said Europe had failed to cut its reliance calling it embarrassing. He warned he is ready to push tougher sanctions on Moscow if NATO members do not change course.
Erdogan and Putin maintain a complicated relationship. While Turkey has sold drones to Kyiv it has also deepened energy cooperation with Russia. Analysts say Erdogan faces a difficult balancing act between Moscow and Washington as the US pressures Turkey to pick a side in the Ukraine conflict.
Despite differences Trump praised Erdogan in front of reporters. The two men avoided any public disagreement while keeping the fate of fighter jet sales and sanctions on the table.
