Trump urges Türkiye to stop buying oil and gas from Russia during White House talks

Washington: US President Donald Trump told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that it would be “better” for Türkiye not to purchase oil and gas from Russia, warning that Ankara’s energy ties with Moscow could complicate defense negotiations.

The two leaders met at the White House during Erdoğan’s visit to Washington — his first since 2019 — with discussions largely focused on Türkiye’s efforts to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program.

Türkiye was expelled from the program during Trump’s first term after it bought Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, which US officials feared could compromise F-35 technology.

Trump expressed hope that the dispute could be resolved, saying: “They need some things, we need some things, and we’ll reach an outcome. By the end of the day, you’ll know.” He suggested that Erdoğan may succeed in securing the aircraft deal but emphasized that avoiding Russian energy imports would be the best path forward.

Since the EU’s embargo on Russian seaborne oil in 2023, Türkiye has become one of Moscow’s largest fossil fuel customers, importing over $90 billion worth of oil, coal, and gas — second only to China and India.

Trump also noted that Erdoğan enjoys respect from both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, adding: “If he wants, he could play a major role in pushing toward a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire.”

Erdoğan, for his part, stressed his desire to see the F-35 ban lifted, telling Trump he came prepared to discuss the matter in detail.