“Telephone diplomacy”: Erdogan wants to restore relations with the US under Trump

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday expressed optimism about Donald Trump’s second term as US president, hoping it would help turn things around. Turkey strained relations with United States.

Erdogan said he would seek to discuss key issues with Trump, including the purchase of F-35 fighter jets and resolving differences over Ankara’s purchase of the jets. Russian– S-400 air defense system.

“Although there have been differences from time to time, the model of partnership between Turkey and the US is undeniable,” Erdogan said, noting that he has previously worked closely with Trump and has invited him for an official visit next year.

One notable aspect of Erdogan’s statement was his emphasis on using “telephone diplomacy” to resolve critical issues such as Israel’s wars with Gaza And Lebanon And Trump’s possible solution withdraw US troops from Syria.

The last time he was in power, Trump gave Erdogan his personal phone number.

“Earlier, we were able to establish contact within 24 hours and we tried to achieve results accordingly through telephone diplomacy,” he said, adding: “I do not expect any problem in this regard during this period.”

Although Ankara had officially refrained from endorsing any candidate during the US presidential campaign, Erdogan did not hesitate to call Trump in July to express his goodwill after the former president’s assassination attempt.

Erdogan also canceled a visit to Washington in May, reportedly to avoid meeting US President Joe Biden, who has faced criticism from Muslim Americans for his stance on Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip.

A place for better dialogue

Erdogan on Friday called on Trump to make good on his campaign promises and take steps to end Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, calling for an immediate end to arms sales to Israel as a first step.

“There was no festive mood in Ankara, but we believe there is great scope for improving dialogue with Trump,” a Turkish official told Middle East Eye.

“We were not surprised by the election results and do not expect a perfect relationship, but under the right conditions it can work very well.”

Turkish columnist Yahya Bostan, writing for Yeni Safak, reported this week that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Richard Grenell, Trump’s senior foreign policy adviser and potential secretary of state nominee, during the NATO summit in Washington in July.

Grenell recently called Fidan an “old friend” and stressed that Washington must treat Turkey as a NATO ally with respect.

Retired Col. Rich Outzen, a former U.S. State Department official who worked on Middle East affairs, said Trump’s foreign policy will be based on a tough approach to escalation management and containment.

“Based on his public statements, Trump’s priorities will likely include ending the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, curbing Iran’s regional malign activities and nuclear ambitions, and expanding trade and diplomatic agreements aimed at increasing stability and promoting long-term peace.” , — Outzen. told MEE.

“Much will depend on the people he appoints to key positions.”

While administration figures such as Grenell could improve relations with Turkey, others such as former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has been an outspoken critic of Erdogan, could complicate relations.

Pompeo, known for his hawkish stance on Iran, is reportedly being considered for the post of defense secretary. Ankara opposes unilateral US efforts to isolate Iran, fearing that such actions could trigger more illegal migration to Turkey and undermine trade.

James Jeffrey, the former US special envoy for Syria during the first Trump administration, expressed general optimism about the future of US-Turkish relations.

“The relationship is currently good, albeit transactional,” Jeffrey told MEE. “Trump will likely bring a more personal approach to the relationship, given the rapport between the two presidents during his first term.”

Robert Kennedy Jr., a close Trump ally, told Tucker Carlson on Wednesday that Trump would like to withdraw 500 U.S. troops from northern Syria, where Turkey is actively involved in fighting Washington-backed Syrian Kurdish groups.

Jeffrey, however, warned that such a move could have serious consequences.

“This would be a serious mistake as it would strengthen Iran and Assad, creating a vacuum that could disadvantage our various partners, including Turkey,” he said.

Key role in Ukraine

Erdogan also expressed Turkey’s readiness to play its role in ending the Ukrainian crisis through mediation negotiations. He stressed that Türkiye maintains contacts with both Russia and Ukraine, while simultaneously reaffirming the sovereignty of Ukraine.

“If during the Trump administration we see a US administration that approaches the problem from a solution perspective, we could easily end this war,” Erdogan said.

“We are a country that has successfully brought both sides to the same table. We’ve done it many times and we can do it again.”

In 2022, Turkey negotiated a ceasefire in Istanbul between Russia and Ukraine and brokered a landmark grain deal between the pair that same year. Ankara also facilitated the exchange of prisoners between Moscow and Kyiv.

“If President Trump is going to broker any deal, Turkey should have some involvement,” said Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, a Washington-based conservative think tank.

“With recent confidence-building measures in the defense industry, such as the sale of the F-16 and the joint production of 155mm artillery shells, there are opportunities for both sides to take small steps toward increased trust that could usher in future cooperation.”