Washington, Sept 26(HS): U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Turkey to halt energy imports from Russia, warning that continued purchases undermine efforts to weaken Moscow’s war machine in Ukraine.Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during White House talks on Thursday, Trump said the “best thing” Ankara could do would be to stop buying Russian oil and gas. He added that Erdoğan, respected in both Moscow and Kyiv, could wield “great influence” on the conflict if he chose to. Turkey remains one of Russia’s biggest energy customers, alongside India and China, with gas volumes flowing through Turkey into Europe rising more than 26% this year.

The meeting closed without firm commitments over lifting U.S. sanctions on Turkey or granting Ankara access to the F-35 fighter jet programme, though Trump expressed optimism about progress. Turkey was expelled from the programme in 2019 after acquiring Russia’s S-400 air defence system, and a subsequent U.S. law barred F-35 sales until Ankara abandoned the weapons.Some lawmakers remain opposed to any deal, citing Turkey’s military actions in Syria, incursions into Greek airspace, and strategic cooperation with Moscow. Earlier this week, the bipartisan Hellenic Caucus in Congress warned against selling F-35s to Ankara, citing its “disregard for international norms.

”Diplomatic BalancingWhile Trump suggested that existing sanctions could be lifted “very soon” if discussions proceed well, Erdoğan described the ban as inconsistent with a “strategic partnership.” The two leaders also avoided public disputes over Gaza, despite Erdoğan’s recent accusation that Israel is committing “genocide,” a claim rejected by the U.S. and Israel.

This was the pair’s second meeting in a week, underlining Ankara’s complex role in NATO — at once a strategic ally and a buyer of Russian arms and energy.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar