Erdogan-Trump phone call yields positive developments from Türkiye, says US envoy
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC on March 6, 2025 (AFP Photo)
U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkof, said a recent phone call between President Donald Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan resulted in several positive developments coming out of Türkiye.
Speaking on conservative commentator Tucker Carlson’s program, Witkoff referred to the March 16 phone call as “transformational” and noted that its impact has not been sufficiently covered by the media due to other international developments such as the conflict in Ukraine and the situation involving Israel.
Witkoff: ‘A lot of good positive news coming out of Türkiye’
During the interview, Carlson mentioned concerns about unrest in Türkiye, suggesting it may be linked to developments in Syria and perceptions about Erdogan’s regional stance.
Witkoff acknowledged the concerns but emphasized that the recent discussion between the two leaders brought significant progress.
“Well I think there was, but I think the president had a great conversation with Erdogan a couple of days ago. Really transformational, I would describe it. I mean, I think it’s gone, I think it’s been under-reported, to tell you the truth. I think it’s under-reported because of the Houthis, because of what happened with Israel, and because of what’s going on with Russia, Ukraine. It’s not really, you know a headline, but I think Tom Barak, who’s the ambassador there, has done and will do an exceptional job.
I think the president has a relationship with Erdogan, and that’s going to be important and I think that there’s some good coming. There’s just a lot of good positive news coming out of Türkiye right now as a result of that conversation. I think you’ll see that in the reporting in the coming days.”
Witkoff also praised Tom Barrack, nominated by Trump as ambassador to Ankara and currently awaiting congressional confirmation, for doing “an exceptional job.”
Official summary of Erdogan-Trump call on March 16
According to the Turkish Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, the March 16 phone call addressed Türkiye-U.S. bilateral relations along with regional and global issues.
President Erdogan stated that he believed Türkiye and the United States would move forward with strong cooperation based on solidarity, a results-oriented approach, and sincerity.
He emphasized that regional and global developments required deeper consultations between the two allies.
The statement said Erdogan expressed Türkiye’s support for Trump’s “decisive and direct” initiatives to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, adding that Türkiye has actively worked toward a just and lasting peace since the beginning of the conflict.
In Syria, Erdogan emphasized the importance of restoring stability, enabling the new administration to function, and easing sanctions to support normalization efforts. He stated that this could help facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.
Erdogan also noted that Türkiye expected cooperation in the fight against terrorism, called for the end of the sanctions related to Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and stressed the need for progress in Türkiye’s procurement of F-16 fighter jets as well as its re-entry into the F-35 program.
Trump reportedly open to resuming F-35 fighter jet sales to Türkiye
Trump is reportedly considering lifting sanctions on Türkiye and resuming sales of fighter jets, including the fifth-generation F-35s, according to a report by Fox News on Friday.
Citing two sources familiar with the matter, Fox News reported that Trump expressed an interest in finalizing the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye following a phone call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last Sunday. The F-16 deal has been under negotiation for some time.
Trump is also reportedly open to the idea of selling F-35 jets to Türkiye, “if both sides reach an agreement that would render Türkiye’s Russian S-400 system inoperable,” the report said. The S-400 purchase led to Ankara’s suspension from the F-35 program in 2019.
During Sunday’s call, Erdogan reportedly urged Trump to improve bilateral defense cooperation by lifting sanctions imposed under CAATSA and finalizing the F-16 sale, as well as reintegrating Türkiye into the F-35 program.
The report added that Trump’s team has requested legal and technical analysis on how to avoid determining Türkiye is in violation of CAATSA.
In 2019, the U.S. suspended Türkiye from the F-35 program after it purchased the Russian S-400 missile defense system, citing concerns the system would compromise the security of the fighter jets.
Last year, the U.S. State Department approved a $23 billion sale of F-16 aircraft and modernization kits to Türkiye, with talks on the details of the deal ongoing.
