US President Donald Trump has called for his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to stop buying Russian oil.

Trump has been trying to pressure countries like India and China, as well as European countries like Hungary and Slovakia to stop energy trade with Russia in his bid to force Moscow to agree to a ceasefire through what are known as "secondary sanctions."

In a meeting at the Oval Office in the White House on Thursday, Trump praised Erdogan as a "very tough man" who is "very respected" by both Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russia's Vladimir Putin.

"I'd like to have him stop buying any oil from Russia while Russia continues this rampage against Ukraine," Trump said while sitting next to Erdogan.

Erdogan was making his first visit to Washington in six years, as ties between Ankara and NATO countries have been strained over Turkey's refusal to join Western sanctions against Russia.

He said the Turkish president, who has been in power for over 20 years, "could have a big influence if he wanted to. Right now he's being very neutral."

Since 2023, Turkey — a member of NATO — has been the third-largest buyer of Russian oil after China and India, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. It has given no sign of cutting those ties.

Trump dangles deal for F-35s if Turkey complies

The US leader hinted that he was ready to make a deal with Turkey to sell it F-35 fighter jets if Ankara agrees to his demands over Russian energy purchases.

"I think he'll be successful in buying the things that he wants to buy," Trump said.

The US leader was also asked when US sanctions on the Turkish defense industry, which were imposed by the first Trump administration, would be lifted. The punitive measures were in response to Turkey's purchase of Russia's S-400 missile defense system.

The sanctions could be lifted "very soon, Trump replied, adding, "If we have a good meeting, almost immediately."

What else did Trump say during his meeting with Erdogan?

Trump also addressed the conflict in Syria, praising Erdogan for Turkey's role in the conflict. Both Ankara and Washington have backed the new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Islamist rebel leader.

Trump also said he believes "we are close to getting a deal done" in Gaza, although the US and Turkey have wildly differing stances on that conflict.

The US remains Israel's staunchest backer, while Erdogan used his appearance at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday to repeat his allegation that Israel is committing "genocide" against the Palestinians in Gaza — accusations which Israel has repeatedly denied.

Edited by: Zac Crellin