Trump–Erdogan Meeting Reflects Warming Ties but Key Questions Remain

The U.S. president hails ‘good relationship’ with Turkish counterpart while calling on Ankara to stop buying Russian oil.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Oval Office on Sept. 25, 2025. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on Sept. 25, where the two leaders spoke for more than two hours.

Although discussions were held largely behind closed doors, Tom Barrack, Washington’s envoy to Turkey, described the talks as “historic,” according to state-run news agency Anadolu Agency.