Erdoğan’s team officially claimed there was no slot available for a one-on-one with Mitsotakis at the “House of Turkey” in New York. While the Greek Prime Minister was left empty-handed, the Turkish president navigated a packed schedule. From a special session on Gaza with Trump and regional leaders, to bilateral meetings with Libya’s Presidential Council chief and the U.N. Secretary-General, Erdoğan’s day was intense — but conspicuously did not include a conversation with Athens.
Greek officials attempted to justify the cancellation by pointing to Erdoğan’s invitation to the Gaza-focused session. Still, the complete absence of a meeting raises questions and fuels speculation about the evolving dynamics of Greek-Turkish relations.
Erdoğan on Fox News
During an appearance on Fox News’ Bret Baier Special, Erdoğan made remarks that drew international attention. When asked whether the situation in Gaza constituted genocide, he answered bluntly:
“I don’t think there’s another way to describe it. It is clearly genocide, and the person responsible is Netanyahu.”
He claimed that tens of thousands have died, over 125,000 have been injured, and many Palestinians were sent to Turkey for medical treatment. He also described Hamas not as a terrorist organization, but as a “resistance group.”
Erdogan to Fox News: “I don’t see Hamas as a terrorist organization. On the contrary, I see it as a resistance group.” pic.twitter.com/oZvXa0CaKO
— MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) September 22, 2025
Regarding Hamas hostages, Erdoğan argued it is unfair to place all blame on the Palestinian side, questioning why Netanyahu’s actions are overlooked. On the Russia-Ukraine war, he stressed that Turkey never wanted the conflict, highlighting Ankara’s delicate balancing act with both Moscow and Kyiv.
Erdoğan also criticized U.S.-Turkey relations, noting that Turkey has paid $1.4 billion for the F-35 program without receiving a single aircraft — a situation he called “incompatible with strategic partnership.” He indicated that this, along with discussions on F-16s and Turkey’s defense industry, would be addressed in his upcoming White House meeting with Trump.
Gaza Summit at the UN
Erdoğan attended a Gaza-focused summit as part of the 80th U.N. General Assembly, alongside Trump and several Arab leaders. After the meeting, he spoke in front of the “House of Turkey,” describing the session as “very productive and positive.” He promised a soon-to-be-released joint statement reflecting the positions of Trump and the Emir of Qatar.
Meeting Libya’s Mohammed al-Menfi
At the “House of Turkey,” Erdoğan met with Libya’s Presidential Council President Mohammed al-Menfi. The discussion covered bilateral relations and regional issues. Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s commitment to stability in Libya and emphasized Ankara’s defense of both countries’ interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Meeting the UN Secretary-General
Erdoğan also met with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, discussing Gaza, Ukraine, Cyprus, and the need to reform the United Nations itself. He argued that the current U.N. model is inadequate and called for urgent revisions. Erdoğan criticized Israel’s attacks, stating they undermine not only Palestinians but global peace, and called for intensified pressure to ensure unhindered humanitarian aid.
Speaking to U.S. Think Tanks
In addition, Erdoğan met with representatives from American think tanks at an event organized with the Turkish SETA Foundation. He was accompanied by nearly all top ministers from his government.
Erdoğan’s UN General Assembly Speech
The highlight of Erdoğan’s visit was his speech at the 80th U.N. General Assembly, where he called the situation in Gaza “the darkest moment of humanity.”
“In America or Europe, if a child’s hand is pricked by a thorn, the parents feel the pain. In Gaza, children are losing limbs, lives, and everything,” he said, showing images of the humanitarian crisis.
He accused Israel of committing genocide for over 700 days, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, including many children. He described Gaza’s health system as collapsed, referred to the “weaponization of hunger” against civilians, and spoke of the “destruction of life itself.”
The Meeting That Never Happened
Despite the back-to-back high-level engagements, diplomatic sources noted that a brief window could have existed for a meeting with Mitsotakis. Yet, it never happened.
While officially attributed to Erdoğan’s demanding schedule, the cancellation inevitably sparks speculation in Greek-Turkish relations. Erdoğan found time for Gaza, Libya, and the U.N. Secretary-General — but not for the Greek prime minister.
