Sky News interrupted for breaking news as Donald Trump issues furious demand

Sky News cut its regular coverage to broadcast live from the White House as President Donald Trump welcomed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Cameras captured the moment Trump greeted Erdogan at the door, shook hands, and posed for photos before moving inside for high-stakes talks.

The meeting centered on arms and trade agreements aimed at repairing long-standing tensions between Washington and Ankara. But the spotlight quickly shifted when Trump addressed Turkey’s close energy ties with Russia.

Speaking to the press, Trump described Erdogan as “a tough man” and added:

“Usually, I don’t like opinionated people, but I’ve always liked this one. He does an amazing job in his country, and we’ve had tremendous relationships when it comes to both war and trade.”

Trump urged Turkey to stop buying Russian oil, linking the issue directly to Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Calling the conflict “disgraceful,” he claimed that more than 7,800 people were killed in a single week, most of them soldiers. He stressed that “Russia’s economy is absolutely terrible right now,” and pressed President Vladimir Putin to end what he called a “waste of human life.”

Despite the sharp warning over Russia, Trump highlighted the economic partnership between the U.S. and Turkey, praising Turkish manufacturing and bilateral trade. Erdogan, in turn, said he was “very pleased” to return to the White House and voiced hope to raise U.S.-Turkey relations “to a much different level” during Trump’s second term.

One key issue on the table is Turkey’s access to advanced U.S. fighter jets. Trump previously removed Turkey from the F-35 program in 2019, but he hinted during this meeting that restrictions could be lifted if progress is made. “I know he wants the F-35, and we’re talking about that very seriously,” Trump told reporters.

This renewed dialogue comes at a time when both nations are recalibrating their roles on the global stage balancing military cooperation, trade ambitions, and strategic alliances.