ISTANBUL

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he and his US counterpart Donald Trump reached a “shared understanding” on how to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and ultimately peace all across Palestine.

“We explained how to first achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and across all of Palestine, and then move toward lasting peace. There was a shared understanding on this,” Erdogan, who met Trump at the White House on Thursday, told journalists on his return flight from the US.

“The number of countries recognizing Palestine has surpassed 150. For this support to be reflected on the ground, the international community needs to act decisively and take measures,” he added.

Erdogan emphasized that a two-state solution remains “the formula for lasting peace” in the Middle East, warning that the current situation is unsustainable. “Mr. Trump is also aware that things cannot continue this way,” he said.

Peace in Gaza

Erdogan stressed the urgency of ending the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.

“Türkiye’s fundamental goal is to end the massacres in Gaza as soon as possible. It is impossible to justify, under the pretext of security, a scene in which children, women, and innocent civilians lose their lives. No one should doubt that we will keep this issue on the agenda until a just and lasting peace comes to Gaza,” he said.

He described the US-Türkiye discussions as a continuation of previous talks in New York and emphasized that a ceasefire must precede permanent peace. “President Trump said during the meeting that the fighting in Gaza must end and that achieving a lasting peace is essential,” Erdogan said.

The Turkish president also highlighted growing international support for Palestine.

“At the General Assembly, we once again saw that Israel, with its oppression and crimes against humanity, has begun to stand alone. When words fail, the photographs speak for our feelings,” he said, recalling images of suffering civilians and malnourished children.

Erdogan also welcomed moves by countries, such as the UK and France, to recognize Palestine and called for sustained international pressure on Israel.

“These recognition decisions are meaningful. Remaining neutral in the face of oppression actually encourages the oppressor. The formula that will bring Israel closer to a two-state solution is a united stance by the international community, the law, NGOs, and opinion leaders,” he said.

He also pointed to a UN summit co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia on a two-state solution as a sign of growing diplomatic momentum.

Syria, Ukraine and regional security

The president emphasized Türkiye’s role in promoting peace and stability across conflict zones, including Palestine, Syria, and Ukraine.

“First of all, our foreign policy is based on peace. We are building peace-oriented roadmaps and taking steps accordingly. We believe that a just peace will leave no losers. Wars, conflicts, and tensions cost the world people, time, and resources. Take the Ukraine-Russia war. Do you think only these two countries are losing there? It is a process that makes everyone lose. War is like that.”

On Syria, Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to sovereignty and stability.

“We discussed the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the situation in Syria. I support President Trump’s vision for global peace. We reached a consensus on the need to stop the bloodshed,” the Turkish president said.

“We discussed the latest situation with Syrian President Ahmed Shara in New York. Their participation in the UN General Assembly this year was very important for the international legitimacy of the Syrian government. The revival of Syria’s economy and infrastructure is also very important.”

Erdogan said terrorist organizations “have no place in the future of Syria and never will,” calling on the international community to take steps for peace and stability in the war-torn country.

He also stressed cooperation on reconstruction and sanctions relief while safeguarding the rights of all ethnic and religious groups.

US-Türkiye relations

Reflecting on the White House meeting, the president said his talks with Trump were held “in a sincere, constructive, and productive atmosphere.” “As you know, my relationship with Mr. Trump has been very good since the past,” he added.

Erdogan also praised the White House hospitality. “At the White House, we were received very well by Mr. Trump and his delegation, and we are leaving satisfied. It was a beautiful visit that cannot be tarnished by any slander.”

He noted that progress was made on multiple fronts, particularly bilateral trade, humanitarian crises, and regional security.

“The trade volume between Türkiye and the US and its potential are clear. We have a target of $100 billion. As leaders, we have the political will to achieve this,” he said.

Mediterranean, defense initiatives

Erdogan addressed Türkiye’s regional role, particularly in the Mediterranean. “Our stance on resources in the Mediterranean is clear. We will take our fair share of these resources and work together with our neighbors based on the principle of win-win,” the president said.

“Türkiye’s determined stance is causing a recalculation of plans in the region—Türkiye is now a power at the table, a decision-maker, and a guiding force,” he added.

On Türkiye’s growing cooperation with Egypt and broader Mediterranean security, Erdogan highlighted recent naval exercises and regional diplomacy.

He also provided an update on Türkiye’s naval ambitions, including the construction of a second aircraft carrier designed to deploy the Kizilelma unmanned fighter jet, expected to be completed within the next one to two years.

On Libya, Erdogan said: “The peace achieved between the two conflicting sides in Libya through Türkiye’s mediation has been a source of hope not only for the Libyan people but for the entire region.

“The good relations we have established with Egypt and the fact that after 13 years our navies are conducting exercises together in the Mediterranean are concrete indicators of Türkiye’s role in regional peace and security. Türkiye and Egypt are two important countries in our region.”

He once again asserted Türkiye’s firm position on Cyprus. “The chapter on a federation is closed for us. No one can drag us back into federation debates with word games.”

“The Turkish Cypriots will never accept being a minority on the island. The only realistic solution is the recognition of two separate states on the island,” the president said.

He also expressed hope that the upcoming Oct. 19 elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would result in positive outcomes for the Turkish Cypriot community.

Türkiye’s humanitarian and mediation role

Erdogan underscored Türkiye’s proactive role in resolving conflicts and supporting humanitarian efforts worldwide.

“Our foreign policy is based on peace. We are building peace-oriented roadmaps and taking steps accordingly … Until the bloodshed stops, Türkiye will continue its struggle,” he said, highlighting initiatives like the Black Sea Grain Corridor, prisoner exchanges, and Istanbul negotiations as tangible results.

He also praised Türkevi (Turkish House) in New York as a hub for diplomacy.

“Here, we speak about how solutions, justice, and lasting peace can be established. This diplomatic activity presents an image of Türkiye that produces solutions both in the field and at the table, not merely in words,” he said, noting its impact on global issues including the Palestinian question.

Erdogan's US visit

Erdogan arrived in New York on Sunday to participate in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. He began his visit by attending the Türkiye Investment Conference at Turkish House, highlighting the steady growth of trade between Türkiye and the US.

On Monday, the Turkish president participated in a high-level international conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question and the implementation of a two-state solution.

The following day, he addressed the UN General Assembly, focusing on Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory.

Later on Tuesday, he joined US President Donald Trump at a multilateral meeting on Gaza held on the sidelines of the assembly.

Erdogan also delivered a speech at a special high-level event on climate action on Wednesday and, together with the Turkish first lady, arrived in Washington, DC, staying at Blair House, the US president’s official guest residence.

On Thursday, Trump welcomed Erdogan to the White House with an official ceremony.

The leaders held a two-hour-and-20-minute meeting in the Oval Office following a working lunch. Trump described it as “a great meeting” and personally accompanied Erdogan to the door, where the Turkish president signed the White House official guest book.