ANKARA – US President Donald Trump announced that Washington will lift sanctions imposed on Türkiye and is weighing sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Ankara, signaling a major reset between the two NATO allies.
Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at NATO summit in Ankara, POTUS declared that sanctions imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) would be removed. The sanctions were introduced in 2020 after Türkiye acquired Russia’s S-400 air defense system, a move that also led to its expulsion from the F-35 fighter jet program.
Trump confirmed that his administration is actively considering restoring Türkiye’s access to the F-35 program, although the proposal must still navigate legal procedures and congressional approval. “It’s a decision we’re going to make,” Trump said, adding that expanding bilateral trade would also be a key focus of his talks with Erdoğan.
Erdoğan welcomed the announcement, expressing confidence that the NATO summit would produce a favorable outcome for Türkiye’s long-standing bid to rejoin the F-35 program. He also said Trump is expected to deliver positive news regarding U.S. support for engines powering Türkiye’s indigenous KAAN fighter jet project, a move that could significantly strengthen Ankara’s defense ambitions.
Calling Trump his “dear friend,” Erdoğan said the U.S. president’s visit to Ankara had strengthened bilateral ties and highlighted the importance of the meeting. He added that Türkiye continues to work toward stabilizing U.S.-Iran relations while promoting peace and security across the region and beyond.
Turkish President praised Trump’s reliability, saying he believes previous American commitments on the F-35 issue are now being fulfilled. Beyond defense cooperation, the two leaders are expected to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and broader NATO security priorities. Erdoğan said both countries would leave the summit with a renewed display of solidarity as key NATO allies.
If finalized, lifting CAATSA sanctions and reviving the F-35 partnership would mark one of the most significant breakthroughs in U.S.-Türkiye defense relations in years, potentially reshaping NATO’s strategic landscape and altering the balance of military cooperation in the region.
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