US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Turkey on Sunday to point out assist to the earthquake-hit nation and NATO ally which has had tumultuous ties with Washington.

His go to comes after a 7.8-magnitude tremor hit southeastern Turkey and northern Syria killing almost 45,000 folks however his journey had been deliberate earlier than the catastrophe.

It’s his first go to to Turkey since he took workplace greater than two years in the past.

The highest US diplomat arrived at Incirlik air base in southern Turkey by way of which the USA has shipped support after the worst pure catastrophe to hit the area in additional than a century.

He’ll meet officers coordinating the supply of US support and see the humanitarian effort beneath method in Hatay, one of many worst affected Turkish provinces.

The US has despatched rescue groups and contributed an preliminary $85 million in aid for Turkey and Syria, deploying helicopters to deliver provides to worst-hit areas.

US-Turkey relations have been strained in recent times, however Washington has since considered Ankara as useful for its mediatory position between Russia and Ukraine since Moscow’s invasion final 12 months.

Blinken will go to Ankara late on Sunday forward of talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday the place two points will probably be excessive on the agenda.

Turkey needs to purchase F-16 fighter jets however the sale is being blocked in Congress as a consequence of issues over Turkey’s human rights file and threats to Greece.

Blinken can even probably deliver up Turkey’s refusal to ratify Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership functions.

He’ll head to Greece late on Monday for talks throughout which he’s anticipated to debate tensions with Turkey, though frosty relations have thawed barely for the reason that earthquake as Greece offered help to its NATO ally and neighbour.