Erdoğan can help end Russia-Ukraine war: Trump

CAIRO

 U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan could play a role in ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.

"Erdoğan can," Trump told reporters on Air Force One en route to the White House from Egypt, when asked whether leaders, particularly Erdoğan, could help in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

"He's respected by Russia. Ukraine, I can't tell you about, but he is respected by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," he added.

Earlier Monday, Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hosted more than 20 world leaders, including President Erdoğan, in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh for a summit to sign a Gaza ceasefire deal.

Trump said he gets along with the "tough ones," referring to Erdoğan.

Türkiye is continuing its efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022.

Ankara has urged Kyiv and Moscow to end the fighting through negotiations, with Türkiye ready for any initiative, including mediation, to lay the groundwork for peace.