Erdoğan and Trump Coordinate on Syria Ceasefire and Gaza Reconstruction in Phone Call

Summary:

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump held a high-level phone call on Tuesday, agreeing to coordinate more closely on post-war governance in Gaza and the fragile transition process in Syria. The discussion signaled renewed efforts to align Ankara and Washington’s regional strategies amid ongoing conflicts.

Focus on Gaza’s Post-War Governance

According to the Turkish presidency, Erdoğan and Trump discussed the operational progress of the “Board of Peace,” a U.S.-led initiative aimed at overseeing Gaza’s post-war administration.

Erdoğan emphasized that addressing what he described as a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is a prerequisite for regional stability and any sustainable reconstruction effort. He underlined that restoring basic governance and humanitarian conditions must come before long-term rebuilding can begin.

Syria Ceasefire and Integration Process

On Syria, Erdoğan stressed Türkiye’s strong commitment to the full implementation of ceasefire and integration agreements, describing the process as critical to preventing renewed instability.

The Turkish presidency said Ankara’s intelligence and diplomatic channels are closely monitoring developments on the ground, working in coordination with U.S. officials as well as authorities in Damascus. The emphasis highlighted Syria’s role as a central test case for rebuilding trust between Türkiye and the United States after years of strained relations.

Defense Industry Cooperation Mentioned

Beyond regional crises, the Turkish readout said the leaders also discussed bilateral relations, with particular attention to cooperation in the defense industry.

Erdoğan conveyed Türkiye’s intention to advance relations with the United States “in all areas,” a phrase widely interpreted in Ankara as a signal that long-standing defense issues could return to the agenda under Trump’s leadership.

While not explicitly mentioned, the reference to defense cooperation has fueled expectations that stalled matters such as F-16 modernization and the unresolved status of Türkiye’s F-35 program may be revisited.

Call Follows U.S. Move on YPG

The phone call came shortly after recent U.S. policy moves regarding the YPG in Syria, an issue that has been the single biggest source of friction between Ankara and Washington over the past decade.

Analysts say the timing suggests both sides are seeking to recalibrate their coordination on Syria amid shifting dynamics on the ground.

Regional Coordination Back in Focus

The Erdoğan–Trump call is seen as an attempt to restore strategic dialogue on the Middle East, with Gaza and Syria emerging as the main pillars of engagement.

Observers note that whether this renewed coordination produces tangible results will depend on follow-up steps, particularly on ceasefire enforcement in Syria and the practical implementation of Gaza’s post-war governance framework.

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