Can Erdogan juggle Trump and Putin at the same time?
Erdogan’s expectations from the United States and Russia are high, but his hopes may be misplaced again.
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin were quick to congratulate Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over his recent referendum victory, which effectively makes him Turkey’s sole ruler.
Putin’s call was expected, but Trump’s reaching out to Erdogan in this manner caught many by surprise. Trump’s call also came just as Erdogan was bracing for criticism from European leaders regarding the manner in which he is consolidating his authoritarian rule. In the end, Trump was the only Western leader to call and congratulate Erdogan.
Despite the noncommittal positions of White House and State Department spokesmen regarding the results of the referendum, Erdogan got what he wanted from Washington with Trump's call, including an invitation to the White House, where he is expected May 16-17.
Before that, Erdogan will meet Putin in Sochi, Russia, on May 3. The Turkish side is keen to underline that this invitation, like the one from Washington, also came from the other side. Erdogan no doubt feels vindicated given that the leaders of the two superpowers that really count are standing by him.
