Diplomatic Schedule in New York
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to arrive in the United States on September 20 for a four-day visit centered on the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. According to an official announcement from Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications, Erdogan will deliver a keynote address on September 22, the opening day of the high-level general debate, which this year is themed around “Rebuilding trust, managing transformation, a United Nations that delivers for everyone.”
The underlying reporting is available from turkiyetoday.com.
During his stay, the President is scheduled to engage in a series of diplomatic meetings, including discussions with the UN Secretary-General and various heads of state. Beyond formal UN proceedings, the visit will feature interactions with the Turkish-American business community, think tank representatives, and the local Turkish diaspora, reflecting Ankara’s push to solidify bilateral ties and economic cooperation.
Focus on U.S.-Türkiye Relations
A significant highlight of the visit is the anticipated meeting between President Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump. Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Türkiye and special presidential envoy for Syria and Iraq, confirmed the likelihood of this engagement during an event in Istanbul earlier this week. The two leaders last met in July at the NATO summit in Ankara, where they discussed sensitive defense and trade issues, including the F-35 fighter jet program and the status of CAATSA sanctions.
Following the July summit, President Trump expressed optimism regarding the bilateral relationship, citing “good chemistry” with Erdogan and praising Türkiye’s military strength. Trump has signaled interest in potentially removing CAATSA sanctions and reconsidering Türkiye’s involvement in the F-35 program—a partnership that was suspended in 2019 following Ankara’s acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system. While Trump has publicly described the F-35 as “the best plane by far” and expressed an intent to review the current restrictions, the path to restoration remains complex, involving both legal and congressional hurdles in Washington.
Strategic Stakes
The potential restoration of F-35 access represents a pivotal point in the security dialogue between the two NATO allies. While Sen. Lindsey Graham has voiced support for resuming deliveries, citing Türkiye’s importance to the alliance, congressional resistance remains a factor. The upcoming New York meeting is viewed as a platform to navigate these lingering obstacles. As the 81st General Assembly progresses, observers will be watching for concrete signals from both administrations regarding the future of defense procurement and the broader strategic alignment of the two nations.