Secretary of State Antony Blinken is meeting with Turkey’s president Monday. The meeting comes after Blinken toured areas that are now unrecognizable in the aftermath of the earthquakes.
U.S. to send $100 million in aid to Turkey
Blinken said the U.S. is sending an additional $100 million in disaster assistance to its NATO ally. Blinken surveyed Turkey by helicopter, and got a bird’s-eye view of collapsed buildings and communities. The death toll is now more than 46,000.
While the secretary of state’s visit is largely focused on recovery efforts, the trip was planned before the earthquake even struck.
U.S. and Turkey at odds over NATO admittance
The U.S. and Turkey have been at odds over allowing Sweden and Finland to join NATO.
The U.S. wants to approve their applications, but Turkey has its differences with the two nations over their alleged support for Kurdish groups Turkey considers terrorists.
Recovery efforts remain priority
The differences between the U.S. and Turkey were set aside Monday in a showing of solidarity as Turkey recovers from its most significant disaster in a century.
“In the immediate moment of course we’re both very much focused on humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria. Who like the people of Turkiye, suffered terribly from the earthquake. And we’re working together to maximize the support that can get to them,” said Blinken.
