Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed optimism Friday regarding the diplomatic approach of the newly elected Trump administration to resolve ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Speaking to reporters on his flight back from a summit in Budapest, Erdogan conveyed confidence in the potential for the U.S. to adopt a solutions-driven approach under Trump’s leadership, which he believes could pave the way for stability in regions beset by war.

Reflecting on the U.S. election outcome, Erdogan underscored his hope that Trump’s presidency will bring constructive engagement to the crisis in Ukraine. “If we see a U.S. administration that approaches the issue from a solutions-based perspective, we can easily end this war,” Erdogan told the Anadolu state news agency. According to reports from Kyiv Post, he emphasized the futility of military escalation, stating, “More weapons, bombs, chaos, and conflict will not end this war; instead, more dialogue, diplomacy, and agreement will open the door to peace.”

Erdogan, who had previously enjoyed a cooperative relationship with Trump during his first term, indicated that he plans to address key issues with the president-elect. One such priority is the U.S. military presence in northeastern Syria, where American forces have been supporting Kurdish groups, notably the YPG (People’s Protection Units), which played a central role in defeating ISIS in 2019. Ankara, however, views the YPG as an extension of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey due to its insurgency efforts within Turkey’s borders.

Erdogan hinted at direct negotiations with Trump over the matter. “We will evaluate the issue of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and how they will end their support for terrorist organizations,” he said, adding that he believed open lines of communication could lead to a resolution. Erdogan also emphasized his ability to maintain close contact with Trump, recalling that during Trump’s previous term, “We were in contact 24 hours a day to try and achieve results through diplomacy.”

Turning to the Middle East, Erdogan expressed hope that Trump’s administration would leverage its influence to encourage a change in Israel’s military policy. Erdogan argued that a return to Biden-era policies would “deepen the deadlock in the region and spread the conflict,” suggesting that halting U.S. arms supplies to Israel might be a viable first step toward peace in Gaza and Lebanon.

Erdogan also acknowledged Trump’s resilience throughout the election campaign. “Trump really put up a great struggle during the election, which even included an assassination attempt,” Erdogan remarked, noting Trump’s “tireless campaign” despite numerous legal and political challenges. He commended Trump’s perseverance, saying, “Despite all these pressures, including the entire judicial process, Trump passed the test very successfully without getting discouraged or tired. He won.”