US and Turkey want to strengthen ties | Abroad

NATO member Turkey clashed with the United States in 2019 when it purchased the S-400 anti-aircraft system from Russia. In retaliation, the United States stopped Turkey from purchasing 100 F-35 fighter jets and banned it from further involvement in the development of new fighter jets. Erdogan is therefore demanding compensation for the $ 1.4 billion (about 1.2 billion euros) that Turkey has already paid for the planes.

Earlier this month, the Turkish president threatened to expel ambassadors from ten Western countries, including the United States and the Netherlands. The ambassadors demanded the release of Osman Kawala, a businessman and philanthropist detained as a political prisoner in Turkey. Kawala has been accused of sponsoring protests in 2013 and plotting to overthrow the coup in 2016. Erdogan thought that embassies were interfering in internal affairs.

“President Biden has reaffirmed our defense cooperation and the importance of Turkey as a NATO ally, but expressed concern that Turkey belongs to Russia’s S-400 missile system,” the White House said in a statement. “He also stressed the importance of strong democratic institutions that respect human rights and the rule of law for peace and prosperity.” The two presidents reportedly discussed a wide range of issues, including human rights, Afghanistan, Syria, climate change and trade.