Erdoğan, Trump show flexibility to resolve recent problems

By Ahval

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump show political flexibility to overcome the current problems between two countries, a non-resident Atlantic Council fellow Verda Özer said in an analysis for Milliyet on Saturday.

Trump announced last month that the United States halted the delivery of 100 F-35 stealth fighters Turkey purchased after Ankara started receiving shipments of S-400s. The Pentagon also suspended Turkey’s participation in the programme to build F-35s over concerns that Russian S-400 missile systems could access sensitive data on the aircraft’s defence.

On Aug. 23, the United States has formally withdrawn an offer to Turkey for the sale of U.S.-made Patriot batteries in retaliation for Turkey’s acquisition of Russian S-400 missile systems.

Erdoğan said in a phone call between two leaders that Turkey is ready to buy Patriot batteries, and Trump responded that delivery of F-35s could take place if Ankara buys U.S.-made batteries and does not activate S-400 systems, according to Özer.

The United States has flexed its conditions to punish Turkey over S-400s firstly from acquisition to delivery, then from delivery to activation while Turkey shows a political elasticity by discussing the purchase of Patriot batteries as standing firm on S-400s and a planned safe zone in northern Syria, Özer said.

“At the moment, there is no solution to satisfy both sides and the search for a mutual agreement continues. This means that negotiations will continue until April, when the delivery of the S-400 is completed, and the door is open to purchase of Patriot,” the columnist said.