Erdoğan calls for abolishing UN veto, replacing system protecting 5 members with one serving all

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for a fundamental overhaul of the United Nations Security Council, demanding an end to the veto power held by its five permanent members.

Speaking to reporters in New York, Erdoğan underlined that the current architecture shields a select few at the expense of global stability.

“The world needs new bridges, not new walls,” Erdoğan said in his comments while stressing that all member states—rather than just the permanent five—should take part in decision-making and crisis resolution.

The Turkish leader also took aim at the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, blasting Israel for continuing its aggression and undermining regional peace. He urged the United States and the wider international community to intervene and compel Israel to adhere to proposed plans for Gaza.

Turning to defence ties with Washington, Erdoğan said that former US President Donald Trump had demonstrated “positive will” regarding Ankara’s potential return to the F-35 fighter jet programme. Türkiye was expelled from the joint strike fighter project in 2019 following its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defence systems. Erdoğan added that Ankara now expects that sentiment to translate into concrete policy.

On the domestic and regional security front, the president reaffirmed his government’s commitment to its “Terror-Free Türkiye” campaign, expressing confidence that results would be seen in the “not-too-distant future.” He warned that beneficiaries of what he termed the “terror industry” were actively working to obstruct peace, but insisted Ankara would not yield ground.

Addressing regional diplomacy, Erdoğan brushed aside recent political developments in neighbouring Greece, stating that Türkiye has “no interest” in Athens‘ internal party politics or electoral outcomes.

Instead, he pointed towards expanding economic corridors with Baghdad. Erdoğan highlighted the multi-billion-dollar Iraq Development Road project—a major rail and highway corridor linking the Gulf to Europe via Türkiye—as a central priority, noting that bilateral discussions were progressing positively to boost regional trade and stability.