President Erdoğan's response to the question about "Hamas" did not please the American host.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered questions from Keir Simmons of NBC News in New York City, United States, where he was attending the 78th United Nations General Assembly. Erdoğan made important statements regarding Israel's attacks on Gaza, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Turkey-NATO relations.

"HOW CAN I CALL THIS RESISTANCE GROUP A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION?"

Keir Simmons asked Erdoğan about Turkey's relationship with Hamas. Erdoğan stated that Turkey is against terrorists but emphasized that Hamas is not a terrorist organization, saying, "We are against terrorists. However, I am one of the leaders who knows Hamas well. I have never called Hamas a terrorist organization. And I do not see Hamas as a terrorist organization right now. Because Hamas is a resistance group that is trying to protect its land. Therefore, how can I call such a resistance group a terrorist organization?" After Erdoğan's remarks, the change in the American host's facial expression did not go unnoticed.

"IT IS NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND THE REASONS THAT PREPARED THE CONDITIONS"

Continuing his speech, Erdoğan emphasized the suffering of the Palestinian people since 1947, stating, "It is necessary to understand the reasons that prepared the conditions for October 7. We need to understand them well. And here, when we examine how many Palestinians were martyred, how many Palestinians were killed, the situation reaches very different places."

UKRAINE'S NATO MEMBERSHIP: THE U.S. DOES NOT WANT IT

One of the topics on the agenda was Ukraine's NATO membership. Erdoğan was asked how Ankara views Ukraine's NATO membership. Erdoğan replied, "America does not want Ukraine to be a member of NATO above all else. Many NATO countries do not want Ukraine to be a member of NATO at all. We need to make our decision by seeing these realities."

Emphasizing that a decision regarding Ukraine's NATO membership should not be made hastily, Erdoğan stated, "These matters are not topics to be approached with excitement. When we make our decisions on these issues, of course, we consider the stance of all NATO members. As of now, the stance of all NATO countries will guide us in making our final decision by following these developments," he expressed. Following these remarks, Simmons asked Erdoğan, "Have you made a decision?" Erdoğan replied, "No."