Donald Trump – Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Meeting (2025)

Donald Trump – Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Meeting (2025) was a leaders’ meeting held on 25 September 2025 at the White House in Washington. The agenda consisted of a bilateral meeting and working dinner in the Oval Office, following discussions held within the framework of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Preparations and Arrival in Washington

Following his participation in the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan traveled from New York to Washington for his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. The aircraft bearing the code “TRK,” carrying President Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan, landed at Joint Base Andrews near Washington on 25 September 2025.

At the airport, President Erdoğan and his delegation were welcomed by Turkey’s Ambassador to Washington Sedat Önal and other officials. The delegation accompanying President Erdoğan to Washington included Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Head of the National Intelligence Organization Ibrahim Kalın, President’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, Head of the Defense Industry Haluk Görgün, Chief of the President’s Private Office Hasan Doğan, and President’s Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç.

After leaving the airport, President Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan proceeded to Blair House, the official guest residence of the White House, where they would spend the night. At Blair House, Erdoğan was greeted by members of the public who expressed their affection. Meanwhile, the U.S. Secret Service implemented heightened security measures around Blair House in preparation for President Erdoğan’s stay.

Official Welcome at the White House

On 25 September 2025, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was officially welcomed at the White House by U.S. President Donald Trump. Upon departing Blair House and arriving at the White House, a ceremonial guard was stationed in the grounds.

After stepping down from his vehicle, President Erdoğan shook hands with President Trump and greeted the press. The two leaders then entered the White House together. The program commenced in the Oval Office following the press reception.

Initial Statements by the Leaders

Before the meeting at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump responded to questions from the press in the Oval Office, stating about President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: “He is a highly respected figure, admired in his own country, throughout Europe and around the world. Hosting him at the White House is an honor for us.”

Regarding the agenda of the meeting, Trump added: “Today we will have important discussions. We conduct substantial trade with Turkey and we will continue to do so, even expanding commercial cooperation. Turkey wishes to purchase F-16s, F-35s and other equipment; we will discuss these matters with them.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in his remarks to the press, noted: “We are experiencing a different phase in Turkey-U.S. relations during both the first and second terms of President Trump. I believe we will have the opportunity today to thoroughly discuss issues such as the F-35, the F-16, and our relations regarding Halk Bank. Whatever obligations arise from the Heybeliada School matter, we are already prepared to fulfill them. Upon returning, I will also have the opportunity to discuss this matter with Patriarch Bartholomeos.”

In response to a journalist’s question, “You have previously stated that President Trump is making efforts for peace. You also hold meetings with many regional leaders. How can you work together in the future?”, Erdoğan replied: “I say these things because I believe in them. I am convinced that together, hand in hand, we will overcome the challenges in our region.”

Main Agenda Items of the Meeting

Gaza Ceasefire and the Middle East

Referring to meetings held on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, U.S. President Donald Trump stated: “We are very close to reaching an agreement on Gaza.” He further added: “We had an excellent meeting with regional leaders on Gaza. We want to bring back all hostages. I believe we are very close to reaching an agreement.”

Russia-Ukraine War

Trump, referring to President Erdoğan during the meeting, said: “President Erdoğan is highly respected by both sides — by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Everyone respects Erdoğan. They truly respect him. I do too. I believe he could have a major impact if he chooses to engage. He is currently very neutral. He likes to remain neutral. I also like to remain neutral. If he were to become involved in this process, the best thing he could do would be to stop purchasing oil and gas from Russia.”

Syria and Sanctions

On the issue of lifting sanctions on Syria, Trump stated: “Erdoğan is responsible for the victory in Syria. This was a victory for Turkey. President Erdoğan is the person responsible for the success in toppling the former regime in Syria.”

Additionally, he stated: “I lifted the sanctions so that Syria could breathe, because the sanctions were too heavy. He (Erdoğan) was responsible for the victory. This was a victory for Türkiye. Erdoğan is responsible for this, so he has much to say about Syria. But I lifted the sanctions at Erdoğan’s request.”

Defense Industry and Trade

Regarding Turkey’s request for F-35s, Trump replied: “We will discuss this. We will discuss the F-35s. I know they want the F-35s and we take this very seriously. They have certain concrete needs and we have our own concrete needs. We will reach an outcome and by the end of the day you will learn what it is.” On the issue of CAATSA sanctions, he added: “It could happen very soon. We will have a discussion on this matter shortly,” signaling that the sanctions could be lifted.

In addition to these discussions, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar announced after the talks that, in the presence of President Erdoğan and President Trump, the “Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding” had been signed with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Completion of the Meeting

The meeting at the White House began with a one-on-one session between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, followed by a bilateral luncheon between their respective delegations. After a total duration of 2 hours and 20 minutes, U.S. President Donald Trump escorted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to the door. The two presidents continued their conversation for some time at the entrance, exchanged handshakes, and then President Trump accompanied President Erdoğan to his vehicle, waving goodbye as he departed. Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump shook hands individually with members of President Erdoğan’s delegation to bid them farewell.

In a brief assessment to the press after the meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump said: “It was a wonderful meeting.” He also remarked during the signing ceremony in the Oval Office: “Today we had a wonderful meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. I believe we had a highly productive discussion on many different issues, and these were very positive. He is a very respected president.”

Following the meeting, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan returned to Blair House, the official guest residence of the White House, where he took commemorative photographs with his wife Emine Erdoğan and staff, and signed the Blair House guestbook. After concluding his program in Washington, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan departed from the United States aboard the “TRK” aircraft. He was seen off at Joint Base Andrews by Türkiye’s Ambassador to the United States Sedat Önal and other officials.

Diplomatic Commentary and Reactions

Following the meeting, U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack made statements to the press. Barrack described the meeting between President Erdoğan and President Trump as “epic.” He said: “You should be proud of President Erdoğan. He behaved exactly as he should have. His team was first-class and achieved perfect alignment with the U.S. team on all issues.”

Barrack noted that Trump demonstrated a courteous yet firm stance on the issues discussed during the meeting. He emphasized the need to end the humanitarian situation in Gaza, stating: “The situation in Gaza will remain a massive priority until it is resolved.” He confirmed that both Erdoğan and Trump agreed on the necessity of ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The ambassador indicated that a unified structure in Syria could develop over time and referred to shifting Western approaches toward the Damascus government. He also noted that a future arrangement could gradually emerge in which the rights of distinct communities such as Kurds, Druze and Alevis are protected.