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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that his meeting with United States President Donald Trump in Washington was “such a beautiful visit that it cannot be tainted by mudslinging,” stressing that the talks reflected a spirit of sincerity and progress.
Speaking to reporters aboard his return flight from U.S. on Sept. 25, Erdogan highlighted his White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. “We held our talks with Mr. President in a sincere, constructive, and productive atmosphere. As is known, my relationship with Mr. Trump has always been very good since the past. During his first term, we had a different dialogue, and that continues,” Erdogan said.
Erdogan traveled to New York on Sept. 21 to address the 80th U.N. General Assembly before heading to Washington, where Trump welcomed him with an official ceremony at the White House on Sept. 25. The two leaders then held a working lunch followed by a closed-door meeting in the Oval Office.
The Turkish leader emphasized his belief that the trip would reflect positively on bilateral relations. “We are advancing our relations with America on the basis of mutual respect,” he said. “Of course, it is not possible to solve every issue with a single meeting. However, this contact has allowed us to make meaningful progress on many matters.”
Erdogan highlighted the $100 billion bilateral trade target, stressing that both sides remain committed.
The president said Gaza was a key focus of his discussions with Trump. “There is a mutual understanding on both sides regarding the need to stop the bloodshed,” he said, adding that he supports Trump’s vision of “global peace.”
He described the White House talks as a continuation of discussions begun at the U.N. in New York. “We explained how to first achieve a ceasefire and then permanent peace in Gaza and throughout Palestine. There was a consensus of understanding there,” Erdogan said.
He reiterated that the two-state solution was the only path to lasting peace in the region: “We expressed that the two-state solution is the formula for lasting peace in the region and that the current situation is unsustainable. Mr. Trump is also aware that the situation cannot continue like this.”
Erdogan said Türkiye observed at the U.N. General Assembly that Israel was increasingly isolated due to “the crimes against humanity it has committed.” He continued: “Those who have signed so many massacres, genocides, and human rights violations will be held accountable before both the law and history.”
On recent recognitions of the State of Palestine, Erdogan said the moves were meaningful but insufficient. “The way for these decisions to fully achieve their purpose is through increasing international pressure on Israel. The formula that will bring Israel closer to a two-state solution is for the international community, law, civil society organizations, and opinion leaders to adopt a united stance,” he said.
Erdogan also warned that Israel’s military actions would not remain confined to Palestine. “In Syria, we have seen both the actual attacks carried out by Israel and attempts to undermine Syria’s efforts for peace and stability,” he said.
Reaffirming Türkiye’s emphasis on Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Erdogan outlined his vision: “We want a country where Arabs, Turkmens, Kurds, Sunnis, Alawites, Druze, and Christians—in other words, Syrians of all identities—live side by side in peace. The Syrian administration shares the same feelings with us. We will not tolerate any attempt to sabotage this.”
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He said terrorist groups have “no place, and can have no place, in Syria’s future” and urged the international community to take steps for peace while refraining from actions that embolden militants. “We especially attach great importance to the lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria,” Erdogan added.
Erdogan also reaffirmed Türkiye’s broader approach: “Until the bloodshed stops, we as Türkiye will continue our struggle. Türkiye pursues a peace-oriented foreign policy and will not bow to pressure or intimidation.”
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