Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is going to the US: Sanctions and F-35 on the agenda!

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will pay an official visit to the US capital Washington on March 25-26. Minister Fidan is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other US officials. Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for the Middle East, said that the March 16 phone call between Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was "transformative" for bilateral relations, adding, "As a result of that call, there is a lot of good, positive news coming out of Turkey right now. I think you will see this in the news in the coming days." Foreign Minister Fidan's visit to the US will be the first official visit from Turkey to the US during Donald Trump's second term. Fidan, who is also expected to meet with US Secretary of State Rubio, will discuss the steps that can be taken in Turkey-US relations during his meetings with US officials. On the other hand, preparations for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's possible visit to Washington to meet with US President Trump are also expected to be discussed.

What will be on the agenda?

According to the information obtained from Foreign Ministry sources, Turkish-American relations, the latest situation in Syria, peace efforts in the Russian-Ukrainian war, the ceasefire in Gaza and CAATSA sanctions will be the main topics of Foreign Minister Fidan's talks during his visit to Washington. Foreign Minister Fidan is expected to convey Ankara's views and expectations on regional issues of interest to Turkey, and Syria will be one of the most important topics in his talks. According to sources, Fidan is expected to emphasize Turkey's support for Syria's stability and integrity, and is expected to express the need for lifting sanctions against Syria and improving Turkish-American cooperation on humanitarian aid and reconstruction. The fight against ISIS and the security management of the camps will also be on the table. Foreign Ministry sources said that the liquidation of PKK and YPG elements within the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will also be discussed. Minister Fidan is expected to underline Turkey's support and readiness to contribute to the ongoing US-led diplomatic efforts to end the Russian-Ukrainian war. Another hot topic in the talks will be the ceasefire in Gaza. Foreign Ministry sources said Fidan is expected to "emphasize the importance of the United States using its influence on Israel" to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

What will be on the agenda?

According to the information obtained from Foreign Ministry sources, Turkish-American relations, the latest situation in Syria, peace efforts in the Russian-Ukrainian war, the ceasefire in Gaza and CAATSA sanctions will be the main topics of Foreign Minister Fidan's talks during his visit to Washington. Foreign Minister Fidan is expected to convey Ankara's views and expectations on regional issues of interest to Turkey, and Syria will be one of the most important topics in his talks. According to sources, Fidan is expected to emphasize Turkey's support for Syria's stability and integrity, and is expected to express the need for lifting sanctions against Syria and improving Turkish-American cooperation on humanitarian aid and reconstruction. The fight against ISIS and the security management of the camps will also be on the table. Foreign Ministry sources said that the liquidation of PKK and YPG elements within the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will also be discussed. Minister Fidan is expected to underline Turkey's support and readiness to contribute to the ongoing US-led diplomatic efforts to end the Russian-Ukrainian war. Another hot topic in the talks will be the ceasefire in Gaza. Foreign Ministry sources said Fidan is expected to "emphasize the importance of the United States using its influence on Israel" to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.