Biden irked by Turkey’s Russia stance, labels it a ‘headache’ for Washington

US president Joe Biden has described Tukey as “a source of substantial irritation” for his ministration, New York Times has reported. Ankara’s stance on Ukraine crisis is part of a wider range of issues, paper cited a source as saying, referring to comments me by Biden. US commander in chief's remarks come after Ankara became a guarantor in an UN-brokered deal on establishing a safe passage for stranded Ukrainian grain, a move which Biden welcomed. 

Erdogan a 'heache'

ties between US and Ankara have soured, as per paper, that described Biden as labelling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a “heache” and “a source of substantial irritation” for Washington. US House Representative Chris Pappas (D-New Hampshire), on or hand, claimed that “Turkey has played both sides of fence in Ukraine. y have not been reliable ally that we should be able to count on.”

“I think Biden ministration needs to take a stronger stance,” Pappas stressed. 

Washington's comments relate to Turkish president Erdogan's recent visit to Tehran to hold Astana dialogue with his Iranian and Russian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi and Vlimir Putin.  images of "two prime American rivals with Mr. Erdogan, leer of a NATO country, clashed with Western narrative of a deeply isolated Iran and Russia," paper insisted. Erdogan “would deeply embarrass  alliance and Biden ministration as y work to counter Russia,” it continued, hurling wanings as now heeded by Biden ministration. 

US President Joe Biden h earlier ironically thanked Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for lifting objections to Finland and Sweden's NATO membership. "I want to particularly thank you for what you did, putting toger situation with regard to Finland and Sweden, and all incredible work you're going to try to get grain out of Ukraine," Biden told Erdoğan during NATO summit in Mrid. "You're doing a great job," Biden ded.

A senior US ministration official h claimed earlier that even when Ankara lifted objection paving way for Sweden and Finland's NATO membership, Washington did not offer any concessions to Turkey to coax it to accept deal. Biden ministration did not do much to make Turkey drop its opposition to Finland and Sweden joining NATO,  official, who spoke on condition of anonymity with Associated Press said. Turkey never asked US for anything, he went on to d, but as part of talks, US played a crucial role in helping bring two parties closer toger.