Turkey's acquisition of S-400 creates a very serious challenge for US: Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump on Nov. 13 told Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan that Turkey's purchase of a Russian missile defense system was a "very serious challenge" for the United States but that he hoped the NATO allies would be able to resolve that dispute.

After a much anticipated meeting at the White House, Trump said he was "a great fan" of the Turkish leader and that they had a "wonderful and productive" encounter. They did not, however, reveal any major breakthrough on mounting differences, from Syria to the Russian system known as S-400.

"Turkey's acquisition of sophisticated Russian military equipment, such as the S-400, creates some very serious challenges for us and we are talking about it constantly," Trump told a joint news conference.

"We talked about it today, we're talking about it in the future, hopefully we'll be able to resolve that situation."

Erdoğan said that the two countries could only overcome their dispute on the S-400s and F-35s through dialogue.

Trump's warm welcome for Erdoğan, however, was a sharp contrast to anger in the U.S. Congress over Ankara's operation into Syria to drive out the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), Washington's main partner in the fight against ISIS.

Trump brought in five Republican senators to the White House to speak with Erdoğan about the YPG and the delivery of S-400s, which prompted Washington to remove Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program, in which Ankara was a manufacturer and buyer.

Following the meeting of the two presidents, the White House said in a statement on Nov. 13 that the U.S. needs to resolve issues involving Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 air defense system to achieve progress on other fronts.

"In order to achieve progress on other fronts, it is vital that we resolve the issues involving Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, strengthening our defense partnership," the White House said.

Erdoğan: I gave the letter back to Trump

Meanwhile, during the two leaders' press conference on Nov. 13, a reporter asked Erdoğan about the controversial letter that Trump sent him last month. "Of course, I gave this letter back to the esteemed president today," Erdoğan said in return.

In the letter dated Oct. 9, and sent after U.S. troops were pulled out of Syria, Trump told Erdoğan: "Don't be a tough guy. Don't be a fool!"

Erdoğan: It is regrettable to see Ferhat Abdi Şahin to be taken seriously

During the press conference, another reporter asked Erdoğan what he thought about the U.S. stance over Ferhat Abdi Şahin or known as Mazloum Kobane, who heads the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Erdoğan said "it is regrettable to see a terrorist called Ferhat Abdi Şahin to be taken seriously by the U.S. president."

U.S. legislators have been calling on Trump administration to fast track a visa for SDF leader Şahin to travel to Washington and brief Congress on the situation in northeast Syria.

Erdoğan however previously demanded that the U.S. hand the SDF commander over to Turkey.

The United States-backed SDF, a group dominated by the YPG, has been controlling some 28 percent of the Syrian territories. Ankara considers the YPG as a terrorist organization due to its link with the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union.

In an Oval Office meeting before their news conference, Trump thanked Erdoğan, lauding his relationship with the Turkish leader.

"We've been friends for a long time, almost from Day 1. We understand each others' country. We understand where we are coming from," Trump told Erdoğan as they sat next to each other in the Oval Office.

"They're highly respected in their country and in the region," Trump said of Erdoğan and his wife Emine.

He also said they will be discussing Ankara's purchase of a Russian S-400 missile defense system. Trump also added that the two sides would talk about a potential $100-billion trade deal.

"We're also talking about the trade deal ... Frankly, we're going to be expanding our trade relationship very significantly," Trump said.

He also told reporters that the Syrian ceasefire is holding very well.

Trump said that the U.S. relationship with Turkey is good and his administration is speaking to the Kurdish forces, who seem satisfied.