In the interview with CNN International, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated, "I hope that my nation will not disappoint us in the runoff."
President Erdoğan addressed Becky Anderson's questions on CNN International on a variety of topics, ranging from the course of the elections to foreign policy.
Upon the question, "Over the past two decades, you have easily won every election you have run, shattering election records. For the very first time in Türkiye's history, an election went to a second round. How at ease do you feel at the moment?", President Erdoğan responded, "I believe my people will turn up for a strong Turkish democracy in next Sunday’s elections given that voter turnout was high as 90%. It has almost no precedence in the world. I hope that, inshallah, my nation will not disappoint us in the runoff as well."
When reminded that he had criticised US President Joe Biden for calling him an "autocrat" during his presidential campaign, President Erdoğan replied, "How could someone who is going into a runoff election instead of completing the election in the first round be a dictator? Now this is the reality. The People's Alliance will enter parliament with 322 MPs, and leader of this alliance is going to go for the runoffs in the first position. What kind of dictatorship is that?"
When asked, "If re-elected, would you work with the Biden administration?" President Erdoğan responded, "Yes, there is absolutely no doubt. I will work with Mr Biden. If Biden is replaced, I will work with his successor."
In response to the question, "Does the substantial delivery of military and financial assistance to Ukraine constitute a provocation? Is the West taking the wrong approach?" referring to his previous assessment that he disagreed with the West regarding its stance against Russia on the Ukraine conflict and "the West pursues a provocative policy", President Erdoğan stated:
“The West is not leading a very balanced approach, You need a balanced approach towards a country such as Russia, which would have been a much more fortunate approach. Just as I improved my relations with Mr Putin, the West should have adopted a similar approach. Countries need each other. I hold talks with Mr Putin the same way I hold talks with leaders of Western countries. Similarly, through the Black Sea grain corridor, we assisted in addressing the needs of both Western as well as African countries. We managed to extend the grain deal for another two months beginning on May 18. How do you think it was this possible? It was possible because of our special relationship with Mr Putin."