• Trump urges Erdogan to stop purchasing oil from Russia amid Ukraine war.
• Discussion on the F-35 fighter jet sale is a key agenda point.
• Previous US sanctions on Turkey may be lifted following the talks.
• Erdogan seeks to address tensions around defense cooperation.
• Concerns remain over Turkey's ties with Russia and regional issues.

On September 25, President Donald Trump urged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to halt oil purchases from Russia during their meeting at the White House. Trump emphasized that stopping these imports would be "the best thing" Erdogan could do amid Russia's ongoing military actions in Ukraine. The US aims to cut off Moscow's energy revenue, considering Turkey as a major buyer of Russian oil, following a significant increase in Turkish purchases this year, according to India Times, Dawn, and Channel News Asia.

During the talks, Trump also indicated that there could be a resolution regarding Turkey's long-desired purchase of F-35 fighter jets. He expressed optimism that the sanctions imposed on Turkey over its acquisition of Russian S-400 missiles might be lifted "very soon" if discussions went well, as both leaders sought to repair ties strained during the Biden administration. Trump acknowledged that both nations have needs and stated, "You’ll know by the end of the day" concerning potential agreements, according to AA and SCMP.

Trump pointed out that Erdogan's influence could be beneficial in urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to take a more conciliatory approach regarding Ukraine. He mentioned that Erdogan is respected by both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, thus capable of leveraging his position for change. Despite not securing a firm commitment during their meeting, Trump believes that Erdogan could potentially be persuaded to abandon purchases of Russian energy, as reported by BBC and Bloomberg.

The discussions reflect Turkey's ongoing effort to balance its relationships with NATO allies and Russia, with Erdogan keen to resolve long-standing issues regarding defense cooperation and trade. The potential F-35 deal remains a focal point of Turkey's strategic interests, as expressed by both leaders during their press interactions, emphasizing the mutual benefits of their partnership, according to Dawn and AA.