What Was Discussed at the Trump-Netanyahu Meeting in Ankara?
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting. Photo: Collected
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey’s capital, Ankara, this week.
During the meeting, the two leaders held extensive discussions on bilateral relations between Ankara and Washington and the geopolitics of the Middle East.
Following the summit, President Trump indicated that he could sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey in an effort to thaw relations with Ankara.
However, he said he has not yet made a final decision on the matter.
Meanwhile, diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel have remained strained for a long time. In such a situation, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said Thursday that Netanyahu had urged Trump not to sell the advanced fighter jets to Turkey.
According to the Israeli prime minister, if Turkey acquires these technologically advanced fighter jets, it would directly threaten Israel’s security. “It would push us into extreme danger.”
The Prime Minister’s Office also said the discussion between the two leaders was not limited to Turkey. They also discussed the United States’ current military actions and strategic posture in the Gulf region amid ongoing heightened tensions with Iran.
President Trump himself briefed Netanyahu on the sensitive situation in the Middle East and the latest steps taken by the US administration there.
The two leaders also discussed what Washington’s next steps could be amid the regional tensions.
Source: Al Jazeera (Adapted)
