In a brief, unannounced meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan on the margins of the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, President Joe Biden made clear that the US stands with NATO ally Turkey in light of the bombing in Istanbul on Sunday that killed at least six people.
The two leaders touched on several of the issues at the heart of the close, but often contentious US-Turkish relationship, which was additionally burdened on Monday when Turkey’s interior minister Suleiman Soylu rejected the condolences offered by the US Embassy in Turkey and accused Washington of being complicit in the bombing by supporting supported YPG militias in Syria, which were allegedly behind the terrorist attack.
Soylu described the US condolence statement describing as if the killer was one to first offer sympathy at the scene of its attack, condemning the insincerity of Turkey’s so-called allies who either harbor terrorists on its territories or send them money from their senates.
The White House also sent condolences to Turkey on Sunday after the bombing.
According to the White House, Biden and Erdoğan discussed bilateral relations – particularly trade and security issues – continued close coordination on NATO issues and other issues of regional and global concern.
It’s worth noting that Erdoğan has periodically frustrated the US and NATO allies, cultivating close ties with Russia and buying a Russian air defense system despite NATO objections.
During the meeting, Biden also expressed his appreciation to Erdoğan for his efforts that led to the resumption of the grain shipment within the Black Sea Grain Initiative, following the resolution of the problem in the grain corridor between Russia and Ukraine that has been critical to improving global food security amid the war between these two countries.
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