Istanbul: US Ambassador to Trkiye Tom Barrack emphasized Trkiye’s significant role in facilitating dialogue between Russia and Ukraine during discussions in Istanbul aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Barrack highlighted Trkiye’s unique position, owing to its traditional cooperation with both Russia and Ukraine, which has allowed it to foster important diplomatic channels.

According to Anadolu Agency, Barrack acknowledged Trkiye’s status as a pivotal NATO ally and its broader regional influence, notably demonstrated in the contexts of Syria and the Russia-Ukraine war. He also commented on the strong rapport between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and former US President Donald Trump, expressing his commitment to further enhance this bilateral relationship. Barrack also conveyed Trump’s diminishing patience concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Regarding US military involvement in Syria, Barrack suggested that current policies would significantly diverge from historical strategies, which he described as largely unsuccessful. He attributed many ongoing regional conflicts to Western interventions post-World War I, referencing the Balfour Declaration and the Sykes-Picot Agreement as examples of Western attempts to reshape the region for strategic advantages, primarily concerning control over fossil fuel resources.

Barrack further discussed the US efforts to integrate the PKK/YPG, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), into the Syrian regime. He reported a continuous reduction in US military bases in Syria, with an aim to eventually maintain just one. He cautioned that the SDF’s current protection under the US Central Command (CENTCOM) could wane without robust mutual cooperation and emphasized the urgency of reaching a comprehensive agreement to sustain US influence in the region.