Erdogan blasts Biden, NATO allies over Ukraine and Gaza conflicts

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused U.S. President Joe Biden and his administration of complicity in atrocities in Gaza and criticized NATO allies for “fueling the fire” of war in Ukraine.

Erdogan made his comments, some of his strongest criticism of the Biden administration to date, in response to written questions from Newsweek as he arrived in Washington, D.C., to attend a NATO summit at a pivotal time for the international order.

Erdogan’s strong statements underscore his critical stance on U.S. and NATO policies in Ukraine and Gaza, highlighting Türkiye’s unique position and diverse diplomatic strategy.

His call for dialogue and sustainable solutions reflects Türkiye’s broader approach to regional and global conflicts.

Türkiye’s unique position

Erdogan, who has led Türkiye for over two decades, emphasized the nation’s unique geographic and geopolitical position within NATO. Türkiye, the alliance’s second-largest military power, is strategically situated between Europe and Asia, adjacent to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Despite Biden’s efforts to unify NATO against Russia and support Israel’s offensive in Gaza, Erdogan advocates a different approach.

Stance on Ukraine

Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to peace, criticizing Western allies for escalating the Ukraine conflict.

“Our stance is exclusively in favor of peace,” he said, advocating for dialogue rather than continued bloodshed. He highlighted Türkiye’s role in facilitating dialogue between the conflicting parties, including hosting talks in Antalya and Istanbul. “The solution is not more bloodshed and suffering, but a lasting peace achieved through dialogue,” Erdogan asserted.

Relations with Putin, Biden

Erdogan described his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin as based on sincerity and rationality, despite their differences. “We can discuss matters among ourselves and delve into the specifics of how to resolve them,” he said.

Conversely, his relationship with President Biden has been marked by disagreements on several issues, including the FETO terror organization and human rights. Erdogan criticized Biden for supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza, which he termed human rights violations.

The U.S. administration disregards these violations and provides Israel with the most support

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Diversifying global ties

Erdogan is increasingly looking to diversify Türkiye’s international relations, building closer ties with emerging blocs in the East. He emphasized that Türkiye’s NATO membership does not preclude positive relationships with countries like China and Russia.

We base our diplomatic relations on the ‘win-win’ principle

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Erdogan suggested that alliances such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS are not alternatives to NATO but complementary.

Concerns over far-right populism in Europe

Erdogan expressed concern over the rise of far-right populism in Europe, warning that populist rhetoric and anti-immigrant sentiments threaten European integration. “These approaches have distorted the norms of countries,” he said.

He criticized European politicians for adopting far-right rhetoric during elections, leading to a normalization of such views among the populace.

The seeds sown with these incorrect attitudes are now beginning to grow in Europe

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Diplomatic actions in Gaza

Erdogan strongly opposes Israel’s offensive in Gaza, describing it as a series of attacks that violate human rights and international law.

What is between Israel and Gaza is not war. It is Israel’s attacks against Gaza that disregard human rights and international law and the resulting massacres

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

He called for an immediate ceasefire and a two-state solution based on 1967 borders. Erdogan warned of the risk of a broader regional conflict involving Iran and other countries if Israel continues its aggressive actions.

“Israel has been treating Gaza as an open-air prison for years,” he added.

Strategy for Syria, Iraq

Erdogan highlighted Türkiye’s proactive approach in Syria and Iraq, focusing on combating terrorism and supporting displaced populations. He criticized the U.S. for supporting terror organization PKK/YPG, which he described as terrorists threatening Türkiye’s security.

We are the nation that is most affected by the conflict in Syria, our neighbor

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Erdogan called for a new social unison in Syria based on territorial integrity and the eventual voluntary return of Syrian refugees.