The Hague: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that Turkey has not, and will not, allow the ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip to fade from the world’s attention. Speaking to reporters aboard his return flight from the Netherlands, where he attended the NATO leaders’ summit in The Hague, Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s commitment to keeping international focus on Gaza.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Erdogan shared that French President Emmanuel Macron had informed him about plans to discuss the Gaza Strip’s situation with Israel. Erdogan also described a “fruitful meeting” with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which they talked about bilateral relations, NATO partnership, and various regional and international issues. Erdogan mentioned that he presented Turkey’s approach to regional issues to Trump, who responded positively to the proposals.

The Turkish President highlighted Trump’s efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, expressing hope that similar efforts would be made to end the Israeli conflict in Gaza and the Russian-Ukrainian war. Erdogan stressed the importance of ending the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, stating that the region can no longer endure it and underscoring the need for a just and lasting peace.

Erdogan reiterated Turkey’s commitment to the F-35 fighter jet project and mentioned ongoing discussions with international counterparts about returning to the program. He acknowledged Turkey’s progress in missile capabilities but noted the need for further advancements, emphasizing the necessity of a multi-layered air defense system.

The Turkish President discussed the limitations of the Russian S-400 air defense systems, stressing the importance of developing a comprehensive air defense strategy. He highlighted Turkey’s ongoing efforts to build an integrated system called ‘Iron Dome,’ which involves incorporating multi-altitude air defense systems, sensors, and electronic warfare systems developed domestically.