Richard Grenell, a close ally of Donald Trump and former U.S. ambassador to Germany, criticized the Biden administration’s approach to Turkey while calling for a more assertive U.S. foreign policy toward the NATO member during a closed-door fundraiser in Philadelphia.
In a recording obtained by To Vima, Grenell advocated for stronger ties with Turkey and stressed the need to both respect its role in NATO and hold it accountable within the alliance.
“What we have to do with Turkey is treat them with respect as a NATO member and leverage our relationship,” Grenell said. “We haven’t done a very good job of that.”
Grenell’s remarks offer a glimpse into how a potential Trump administration might approach U.S.-Turkey relations. Trump has signaled his openness to bringing Grenell back into his foreign policy team if he wins re-election.
Grenell, known for his blunt and outspoken style, reflected on his long history of working with Turkish officials, including Turkey’s current foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, whom he described as an old-time friend.
He emphasized the importance of clear communication with Turkey, particularly in light of recent regional tensions involving its relations with Israel, Russia, and its treatment of American citizens.
The former ambassador praised Trump’s handling of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, contrasting it with what he described as the mismanagement of U.S.-Turkey relations under President Biden.
Grenell credited Trump’s focus on economic diplomacy for keeping Erdogan more closely aligned with U.S. and NATO interests. However, he expressed concern over Erdogan’s recent policies, which he said have increasingly diverged from Western values.
Talks on Greece-Turkey Relations
Grenell also revealed ongoing discussions with Greek-American leaders to compile a list of specific actions Turkey could take to improve relations with Greece.
“We need to be clear with Turkey and use our leverage to shift their behavior,” Grenell concluded.
