Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized on Sunday that Turkey expects the Taliban to form a "unified" government before reaching an agreement with it regarding the operation of Kabul Airport. Prior to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan and the Taliban's takeover of the country in mid-August, Turkey, a NATO member, offered to take responsibility for the security of Kabul Airport. After the unexpected fall of the Western-backed regime, Turkey began discussions with the new rulers of the country to help manage the airport, which is vital for humanitarian aid delivery and for organizing Afghanistan's relations with the rest of the world.
Erdoğan explained in an interview with CBS News on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly that "the government in Afghanistan is not unified, it does not include all components. As long as it remains that way, we will not go to Afghanistan, but if the government is more open, then Turkey could go." He added, "We hope that women will actively participate in all aspects of life in Afghanistan, and we can support them."
The Turkish president reminded that the security of Kabul Airport and Turkey's responsibility for managing it were discussed with U.S. President Joe Biden in June in Brussels during a NATO summit. However, relations have since deteriorated between the two presidents, with Erdoğan admitting to the Turkish press on Thursday that "things did not start well" between them.
Erdoğan returned to the issue of U.S. F-35 fighter jets, from which Turkey had requested one hundred units before its request was denied due to its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system. In this regard, he stated, "We bought F-35s and paid $1.4 billion but did not receive the planes." He added, "For us, the S-400 deal has been completed and it is not possible to go back. The United States needs to understand this... We, as Turkey, are honest, but unfortunately the United States has not been."
He warned, "We are moving forward... We will knock on other doors," stressing that "Turkey is buying what it needs for its defense."
