Weekly Turkey Report: 4th Week of September 2025

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan did everything he could to please the U.S. President Donald Trump, yet he left Washington without securing what he had hoped for. To obtain an invitation to the White House from the man he called his “friend,” Erdoğan had to involve Trump’s son, promise a $100 billion Boeing purchase on behalf of Turkish Airlines, and agree to unilaterally lift tariffs imposed by Turkey on the United States.

Even before the meeting, Erdoğan was publicly humiliated by his counterparts. U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and Trump’s Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, said in a televised interview that Erdoğan was seeking international legitimacy and that Trump, through this invitation, was providing it. He added that Turkey was a democracy with heavy authoritarian and repressive characteristics.

Barrack was not wrong. For leaders cornered at home, one of the most important ways to restore prestige has long been an invitation to the White House and a photo-op with the President. Even at a time when Turkish–U.S. relations were deteriorating and pro-government media in Turkey hurled insults and threats at Washington every night, this reality did not change. CNNTürk, one of the most virulent critics of the U.S., praised Trump’s attention to Erdoğan in glowing terms.

“Begging for a Visit”

The second blow came from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In a Fox TV interview, Erdoğan said Trump had pledged before taking office to end wars in Ukraine and Gaza but failed to deliver on either, striking at the ego of the U.S. President. When asked about these remarks, Secretary Rubio retorted: “Don’t mind what they say. They talk like this, but then they beg to come to Washington,” accusing Erdoğan of pleading for a White House visit. After Trump expressed his displeasure, Erdoğan’s Communications Directorate issued a statement claiming the President’s words had been mistranslated. But anyone who watched the interview in Turkish heard exactly what he said.

Perhaps this is why Erdoğan did not smile during the visit. While Trump flattered the Turkish delegation “like a carpet seller,” he also issued difficult demands: vague promises on lifting CAATSA sanctions and F-35 sales, while insisting that Turkey halt purchases of Russian oil and natural gas. Even Erdoğan’s agreement to sign a U.S. natural gas deal was not enough to satisfy Trump. Gaza was not mentioned, and Ankara’s demands regarding Syria were ignored. Instead, Trump assigned Erdoğan “homework,” explaining what Ankara needed to do before its requests could be considered.

Asked when CAATSA sanctions might be lifted, Trump replied, “If we have a good meeting, it could happen anytime.” He added: “We will also discuss tariffs.” On F-35 sales, Trump said: “We’re talking about warplanes for Turkey, yes. We’re discussing that.” On Gaza, Trump remarked, “I don’t know at the moment,” but hinted at potential “important developments” in the near future. Notably, Trump greeted Erdoğan wearing a warplane pin on his jacket. The meeting began at 6:30 p.m. Ankara time and ended at 8:50 p.m., with Trump personally escorting Erdoğan from the White House.

Erdoğan Chooses the Questions

Asked how he planned to cooperate with the U.S. on regional issues, Erdoğan answered: “I believe we will overcome the difficulties in the region hand in hand.”

He added: “We are experiencing a different phase in Turkey–U.S. relations. As they themselves said, we will have the opportunity to discuss matters such as the F-35 and F-16, as well as our relations regarding Halkbank. As for the Heybeliada Seminary, we are ready to do whatever is necessary. When I return, I will discuss this with His All-Holiness Bartholomew.”

Following the meeting, Turkish Airlines announced it had fulfilled Erdoğan’s Boeing pledge to Trump’s son: 150 firm orders and 75 optional purchases. In a filing with the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP), Turkish Airlines confirmed it would acquire 75 Boeing 787-9/10 aircraft (50 firm, 25 optional) and 150 Boeing 737-8/10 MAX aircraft (100 firm, 50 optional).

On the return flight, Erdoğan told reporters: “Mr. Trump is a politician who likes to speak openly and without filters. We are developing our relations with the United States on the basis of mutual respect. Of course, it is impossible to resolve every issue in a single meeting. But this contact has led to meaningful progress in many areas.” He added: “We are leaving Washington satisfied. In our talks, we discussed trade and investment as well as the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the situation in Syria. I also support Mr. Trump’s vision for global peace. There is mutual agreement on the need to stop the bloodshed.”

Yet a scandal erupted regarding the journalists on board, whom critics often describe as “crew members” rather than independent reporters. Media ombudsman Faruk Bildirici revealed that Erdoğan’s Communications Directorate had provided journalists with pre-written questions via WhatsApp.

Behind the Scenes

Gönül Tol, a Turkish academic based in Washington, posted on X that she asked her sources inside the Trump administration about the meeting:

1. Trump was angered by Erdoğan’s Fox News remark that “Trump failed to end wars in Gaza and Ukraine,” and voiced his displeasure directly. The Communications Directorate quickly issued a correction, claiming Erdoğan’s words were “lost in translation.”

2. The most concrete outcome was the Halkbank case: Turkey will pay a fine of nearly $100 million but will not admit guilt.

3. Trump asked Erdoğan to stop buying Russian oil.

4. The Turkish side sees acquiring F-35s as nearly impossible because it would require amending the NDAA. Erdoğan is therefore pressing Trump to lift CAATSA sanctions to open the way for bilateral defense cooperation.

5. The issue of $2 billion Russia had transferred to Turkey for the Akkuyu nuclear plant but held in U.S. banks also came up. Ankara wants the funds released.

6. There was agreement between the two sides on Syria.

7. Turkey had opposed holding a press conference, but Trump unexpectedly decided to take questions.

U.S. Refuses Engines for KAAN

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed the importance of Erdoğan’s Washington talks, noting: “Under the CAATSA sanctions imposed since 2019, export licenses for engines to be used in Turkey’s fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet program have been suspended. Without engine delivery, production cannot begin.” He emphasized that resolving this issue is one of the top priorities in Ankara–Washington relations.

Domestic Politics

Erdoğan’s Istanbul Standoff with CHP

Last week, the 45th Civil Court of First Instance in Istanbul ordered the suspension of the CHP’s Istanbul Provincial Congress, despite a Supreme Election Board (YSK) ruling that “once a congress begins, it cannot be stopped.” The court cited an annulment case as justification.

CHP Deputy Group Chair Gökhan Günaydın responded: “We will hold our congress and wait for the YSK decision.” The congress went ahead despite the suspension order. Delegates voted, and Özgür Çelik was re-elected as CHP Istanbul Provincial Chair.

However, the same court later rejected appeals against a precautionary measure removing Çelik from office, confirming Gürsel Tekin as acting chair. The CHP has appealed to a higher court.

Investigations Spread to Ankara

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into concerts organized by the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality between 2021 and 2024, alleging financial irregularities. Thirteen individuals were detained; five were arrested.

Arrest Warrant for Turgay Ciner

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced an arrest warrant for businessman Turgay Ciner in connection with the Can Holding investigation. Shortly after the detention of Can Holding Chairman Kemal Can, trustees were appointed to several Ciner Group companies, including Park Holding, AFC Import Export, Zeyfa Import Export, and Silopi Electric.

Pressure on the Media

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced an investigation into TELE 1 over a caption that mistakenly read: “What is the difference between Trump and Netanyahu?” Tunç said: “A television channel compared our President with Netanyahu, a perpetrator of genocide. An investigation has been launched.”

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office also opened a case against journalists Boğaç Soydemir and Enes Akgündüz after a satirical remark on the Prophet Muhammad’s hadith, “Alcohol is the mother of all evils.” Both were arrested on charges of inciting hatred and enmity.

In Belgium, journalist Heval Arslan of Medya Haber TV was detained without a court order, subjected to a strip search, and threatened with extradition to Turkey via France.

Meanwhile, the websites of Milliyet and Hürriyet were hacked by a group calling itself SIBERISLAM. Both sites were restored shortly after.

In Ağrı’s Diyadin district, journalist Abdullah Kaya was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for “targeting a public official” after photographing an armed village guard at a polling station during the 2023 elections.

Finally, İbrahim Ateş, sentenced to life imprisonment by the now-defunct State Security Courts in 1995 for “undermining state unity,” was released after 30 years in prison.