U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he would lift sanctions on Türkiye and decide on a potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Ankara. He made the announcement as he began talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO summit. The move could mark a significant shift in U.S.-Türkiye defence relations.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “We’re going to be taking the sanctions off,” referring to measures imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). He also confirmed that a decision on supplying F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye would be made. Trump added that trade would also feature prominently in his discussions with Erdogan.
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The United States imposed CAATSA sanctions on Türkiye in 2020 after Ankara purchased Russia’s S-400 air defence missile system. Washington also removed Türkiye from the F-35 fighter jet programme, arguing the Russian system posed security risks. Turkish officials have consistently described both decisions as unfair and unlawful.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump is expected to support a possible F-35 sale despite remaining legal and congressional hurdles. However, he acknowledged that the final decision has yet to be made. Any agreement would require navigating U.S. legal procedures and political approval.
Read more: NATO unveils major defence deals as Trump attends Ankara summit
Trump’s remarks come as NATO leaders meet in Ankara to discuss defence spending, regional security and alliance cooperation. His meeting with Erdogan is expected to focus on restoring bilateral defence ties, expanding trade and addressing broader strategic issues affecting both allies.