Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, is heading to the U.S. for his first official visit since the beginning of U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term. The trip, taking place from March 25-26, will include strategic negotiations with U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio.
The talks are expected to focus on strengthening the bilateral relationship between Turkey and the U.S., with particular attention to strategic cooperation and preparations for future head-of-state visits.
Before this visit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had his first phone call with President Trump. Among the topics on the agenda are efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, developments in Syria, and the future of defense industry cooperation between the two nations.
Fidan will also address the issue of U.S. sanctions under CAATSA, imposed in 2020, and Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 program following its purchase of Russia’s S-400 defense systems. The negotiations regarding these sanctions and Turkey’s fighter jet involvement were a key factor in Turkey’s delay in agreeing to Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Fidan plans to remind the U.S. of Turkey’s peacekeeping efforts and express Turkey’s willingness to support U.S. efforts in establishing a ceasefire and permanent peace agreement. Additionally, Fidan will call for the U.S. to lift sanctions on Syria and collaborate with Turkey in providing humanitarian aid and supporting reconstruction in the region.
Further, discussions will touch on countering ISIS and managing detention centers in eastern Syria, with Fidan urging the U.S. to use its influence on Israel to ensure a sustainable ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
