Istanbul: Trkiye's message during a Gaza-focused meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in late September left an impression on US President Donald Trump, the Turkish president said on Sunday. "At the UN General Assembly, during the meeting we held with Trump, we gave our message especially with Muslim countries, but our message, as Trkiye, left an impression on Trump," Erdogan said during a meeting with university students in Istanbul.

According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan emphasized Trkiye's commitment to its stance on Gaza, stating, "We will continue on our path with determination in the period ahead. There will be no stepping back. If we step back, we would not be able to account for it before God or before Gaza." He reassured that Ankara is "taking every step" concerning Gaza and recalled his speech at the UN General Assembly, where Israeli delegates were present. "I delivered that speech while looking them straight in the face. You do not go to war against cowards. We are not cowards," he asserted, reinforcing Ankara's unwavering position on the Gaza issue.

Erdogan highlighted Trkiye's unique position globally and announced that Ankara will host a NATO leaders' summit. "We previously hosted it in Istanbul, and now we will host this summit in Ankara as well. Of course, in Ankara, we are preparing a crescent-and-star concept," he added.