Trump requests Erdogan to stop purchasing Russian oil
US President Donald Trump has held talks with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and called on him to stop buying Russian oil.
Trump appears to be aiming for a breakthrough in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by obtaining Turkey’s cooperation. The country is a NATO member, but also geographically near Russia and Ukraine, and has close relations with both of them.
Trump held summit talks with Erdogan on Thursday at the White House. At the start of the meeting, Trump said, “We’ve had tremendous relationships, both having to do with war and having to do with trade.”
Referring to Erdogan, Trump also said, “I’d like to have him stop buying any oil from Russia, while Russia continues this rampage against Ukraine.”
Trump said during a speech on Tuesday at the UN General Assembly that China and India are continuing to purchase oil from Russia and criticized them for supporting the war. He also said that even NATO member countries are not reducing energy imports from Russia.
Trump also said that Erdogan is “very respected by both” Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He expressed his hope for Erdogan to play a mediating role, saying “I think he could have a big influence if he wants to.”
