Biden discusses Ukraine and Sweden in NATO with Erdogan
US President Joe Biden had a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the eve of the NATO summit, during which they discussed Ukraine's membership in the North Atlantic Alliance and Sweden's membership in the bloc.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to Hurriyet.
The two presidents also discussed the delivery of F-16 fighter jets and the process of Turkey's full membership in the EU.
The leaders agreed to hold a personal meeting in Vilnius, where the NATO summit will be held on July 11-12, and discuss in detail bilateral relations between Turkey and the United States and regional issues, according to a release from the Turkish Communications Directorate.
During his conversation with Biden, Erdogan said that Sweden has taken some steps in the right direction by amending its anti-terrorism legislation. At the same time, according to the Turkish president, public actions by supporters of the Kurdish organizations PKK/PYD/YPG, which Ankara calls terrorist, "negate the steps taken."
He noted that it is wrong to link Turkey's request for F-16s with Sweden's membership. At the same time, Erdogan thanked the American president for supporting Ankara's request for these fighters.
Erdogan said that Turkey is "principled and honest" about EU membership and wants the leading EU countries and the EU leadership to make a clear statement of support for Turkey's membership at the Vilnius summit.
Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 10/07/2023
