President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke to the press following Friday prayers at Hz. Ali Mosque in Istanbul, addressing the nation’s ongoing battle against wildfires, mediation efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the growth of Türkiye’s defense industry.

Erdoğan began by offering condolences for the firefighters who lost their lives combating wildfires in Karabük, Antalya, and Uşak provinces. He reported that 27 aircraft, 105 helicopters, over 6,000 land vehicles, and 25,000 personnel are currently deployed in the firefighting efforts. “We have martyrs. Ten of our martyrs were laid to rest, and one will be buried today in Konya. May Allah have mercy on their souls,” he said, underscoring the tragic loss of life. He described the firefighters’ bravery, noting that some were “trapped inside a ring of fire and could not get out.”

On the international front, Erdoğan discussed Türkiye’s role in facilitating Russia-Ukraine peace talks, with the latest meeting held at Istanbul’s Çırağan Palace on Thursday. Represented by his foreign minister, Erdoğan revealed he had also met with the Ukrainian delegation in Ankara and held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to advance dialogue. “In the coming days, possibly next week, I will hold further talks with President Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump,” he said, expressing hope that Türkiye could host a summit between the leaders in Istanbul.

Responding to a question about the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025), Erdoğan highlighted Türkiye’s growing prominence in the global defense sector. “When we took office, our potential was around $20 billion, but now we have reached approximately $80 billion,” he stated, adding, “Inshallah, we will grow stronger.”

As Türkiye navigates natural disasters, diplomatic mediation, and defense industry advancements, President Erdoğan’s remarks underscored the nation’s multifaceted challenges and ambitions on the global stage. (ILKHA)