Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has revealed that he will discuss with his US counterpart Donald Trump the purchase of the Patriot missile defense system, noting that the relationship with Trump could help overcome the crisis caused by Ankara's purchase of Russian missile defense system S-400.
Erdogan said in an interview with Reuters that Trump should recognize Turkey's concerns about the Kurdish military threat on the border.
He has threatened to open doors for Syrian refugees to Europe if Turkey does not receive more aid and support for Syria's safe area.
The Turkish president said that Western aid to face the Syrian refugee crisis in Turkey is insufficient and very slow, noting that Turkey has spent 40 billion dollars so far.
Avoid error
Asked whether he would also ask Trump to prevent the US Treasury from imposing a huge fine on the Turkish state-owned Bank Khalq for violating sanctions against Iran, Erdogan said he was confident that such a "mistake" could be avoided. With a different kind of trust "between the two leaders.
"I think a country like the United States will not want to harm its ally Turkey anymore. This is irrational behavior," Erdogan said.
In a parallel context, the Turkish presidency said that the tripartite summit, which will bring together the leaders of Turkey, Iran and Russia on Monday in Ankara will discuss developments in Syria, especially the situation in Idlib.
She said that the summit aims to consult between the three countries on the joint steps needed to be taken in the coming period, in order to reach a lasting political solution in Syria and secure the conditions for the return of Syrian refugees and end the clashes.