Recep Tayyip Erdogan, U.S. President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa Participate in Joint Meeting!
Erdogan Joins Virtual Meeting with Trump, MBS, and Syrian President al-Sharaa
On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined a high-level virtual summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The online meeting, hosted as part of renewed U.S.-Gulf diplomatic engagement, included discussions on regional stability, counterterrorism, and major policy shifts.
Erdogan’s Key Messages
Participating remotely from Ankara, Erdogan emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to a stable and peaceful Syria, calling for regional cooperation and pledging continued support for Syria’s fight against terrorist groups, particularly ISIS (Daesh). He expressed Türkiye’s readiness to help manage and secure detention centers housing ISIS militants.
Addressing Trump’s recent decision to lift all U.S. sanctions on Syria, Erdogan said the move carried “historic importance” and could encourage other nations to follow suit. He noted that easing sanctions may unlock investment opportunities across Syria’s sectors, facilitating reconstruction and economic revival.
Concerns for Gaza and Ukraine
Erdogan also condemned the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating that “the time has come to end the suffering” of Palestinians. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s efforts to break the cycle of violence in the region.
Regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Erdogan reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire and the launch of peace negotiations. He confirmed that Türkiye is committed to hosting and facilitating peace talks, ahead of a planned meeting in Istanbul on Thursday.
Trump Meets Syria’s President al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia
Ahead of the summit, U.S. President Donald Trump held a one-on-one meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia. This unexpected engagement followed Trump’s announcement of a complete lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria — a dramatic shift in Washington’s Middle East policy.
During the meeting, Trump reportedly encouraged al-Sharaa to normalize ties with Israel, despite strong opposition from within his own administration and skepticism from Israel, which continues to view Sharaa’s leadership with suspicion due to his past affiliations.
Background on Sharaa’s Rise to Power
Sharaa, a former senior figure in al Qaeda’s Syrian branch, severed ties with the group in 2016. He took power after toppling Bashar al-Assad in December and has since been working to consolidate control over Syria. The U.S. removed a $10 million bounty on him the same month. Despite criticism, Trump’s administration appears willing to engage, citing potential regional stability and new diplomatic opportunities.
Economic Announcements and Diplomatic Optics
Trump’s Gulf visit was also marked by major economic announcements, including a $600 billion Saudi pledge to invest in the U.S. economy and a $142 billion arms deal. Saudi Crown Prince MBS praised Trump’s decision on Syria, saying it opened new paths for diplomacy in the region.
Türkiye, U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Syria Hold Historic Four-Way Meeting in Riyadh
In a significant diplomatic development, leaders from Türkiye, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Syria convened in Riyadh for a high-level quadrilateral meeting aimed at addressing regional stability, security, and cooperation.
Erdogan’s Vision for Syria
According to sources, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed Türkiye’s enduring commitment to a stable, prosperous Syria that cooperates with its neighbors and poses no threat to regional peace. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to achieve this goal and pledged continued support to the Damascus administration in its fight against terrorism, particularly against Daesh (ISIS).
Erdoğan also stated that Türkiye is prepared to help manage and secure detention centers holding Daesh terrorists. He described U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria as “historically significant,” adding that it could serve as a model for other countries still enforcing punitive measures. Erdoğan emphasized that the move could unlock investment opportunities across various Syrian sectors.
Concern for Gaza and Global Peace
During the meeting, Erdoğan highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reiterating Türkiye’s efforts to break the cycle of violence. He declared, “The time has come to end the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza.”
Erdoğan also addressed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, advocating for an immediate ceasefire and the initiation of peace talks at both the leadership and technical levels. He reiterated Türkiye’s full commitment to supporting global peace efforts.
Key Takeaways from the White House Statement
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released a statement outlining the key outcomes of the meeting. She noted that President Erdoğan praised President Trump for his decision to lift sanctions on Syria and committed to working alongside Saudi Arabia to promote peace and development in the region.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also commended Trump’s move, calling it a “courageous decision.”
President Trump thanked both leaders for their friendship and addressed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa directly, stating that he now holds “a tremendous opportunity to do something historic in his country.” Trump outlined several expectations for Syria’s future, including:
- Signing the Abraham Accords with Israel
- Expelling all foreign terrorists from Syrian territory
- Deporting Palestinian militants
- Collaborating with the U.S. to prevent Daesh’s resurgence
- Taking full responsibility for Daesh detention centers in northeast Syria
Syria’s Response: A Shift Toward Diplomacy
In response, President al-Sharaa expressed gratitude to the participating leaders and acknowledged the diplomatic opening created by Iran’s exit from Syrian territory. He emphasized shared U.S.-Syrian interests in combating terrorism and eliminating chemical weapons, and reaffirmed Syria’s adherence to the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel.
Sharaa concluded by positioning Syria as a future economic bridge between East and West. He extended an invitation to American companies to invest in Syria’s oil and gas sectors, signaling a potential shift toward economic reconstruction and engagement with the West.
