U.S. President Donald Trump announced he would lift sanctions off Turkey during a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan at a NATO summit on Tuesday. Speaking alongside Erdogan, Trump said his administration had decided to remove the sanctions. As per Business Standard, Trump told reporters that the sanctions would be removed from measures imposed under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The sanctions were originally imposed in 2020 over Turkey's acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems. According to the latest reports, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Turkey in 2020, after it purchased missiles from Russia's main arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, with the sanctions including a ban on all U.S. export licenses. Trump emphasized the decision's significance, stating 'We're going to be taking the sanctions off... We don't want to sanction friends.' When asked if he had any concerns about Ankara still being in possession of the Russian S-400s, Trump said he did not. 'I have no concerns about anything having to do with Turkey,' he told reporters, adding that 'I would say the relationship with Turkey right now is better probably than it's ever been.'
Trump indicated the U.S. would consider a potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey during the meeting, as reported by Business Standard. The President stated it was 'a decision we're going to make' when asked about the fighter jet program. Speaking in Turkey, Trump also said he would decide whether to allow the sale of U.S. F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, as Erdogan told reporters he hoped for a 'favorable' outcome. To return Turkey to the F-35 program, it would need to overcome a 2020 law requiring a presidential administration to determine that Ankara is no longer in possession of or operating Russian missile systems. According to Anadolu Agency, Trump said the U.S. is 'going to make a decision' and would consider allowing the sale of the advanced aircraft. Erdogan expressed confidence that Turkiye would secure the fighter jets, citing an existing commitment for five aircraft and added that 'I know that Mr. Trump always keeps his promises.' Trump also indicated his possible support for letting Turkey buy F-35 stealth fighter jets, saying 'Turkey has been, in many ways, much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal ... It's a great plane, it's the best, currently the best plane by far.'
Trump announced that the U.S. would provide additional support beyond sanctions relief, stating that 'We're going to support the maintenance of engines for aircraft previously purchased by Turkiye from American defence contractors.' According to Anadolu Agency, Trump said the U.S. is also reviewing legal restrictions that have prevented Turkiye from rejoining the F-35 fighter jet programme. Dismissing concerns over Turkey's acquisition of Russian missile defense systems, Trump said 'I don't have concerns about anything.' The U.S. president described current ties with Turkey as 'stronger than ever' and praised Erdogan's leadership, saying 'Sometimes you get along with the toughest people, like him.' During the bilateral press availability, '[Trump] brings up that Turkey has been a great ally [to] the US, as he uses open-palm, wide, expansive gestures which indicate credibility and sincerity,' as noted by The New York Post. Trump also praised his host's actions during the Iran war, favorably appraising his actions as helpful while bashing other American allies, including the UK, France, Germany and Italy, for withholding assistance. Trump also indicated his possible support for letting Turkey buy F-35 stealth fighter jets, saying 'Turkey has been, in many ways, much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal ... It's a great plane, it's the best, currently the best plane by far.'
Despite Trump's support for the potential F-35 sale, Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed strong opposition to any decision allowing the sale to Turkey. Netanyahu told Fox News on Monday that the sale of F-35s to Turkey would 'upset the power balance in the Middle East, which is ultimately guaranteed by Israeli air superiority, and also by, I think, by America's posture in the Middle East'. He also spoke to CNN on Tuesday about the decision, where he referred to Erdogan as 'not exactly a model ally of the United States. He threatens to destroy my country, the one and only Jewish state.' Netanyahu described the Turkish government as 'a regime that's infected with the Muslim Brotherhood, which hates the United States.' According to The National, Netanyahu told CNN that 'It would destroy the power balance in the Middle East, because Turkey, I think, has aggressive aspirations. I mean, they ultimately say that they want to restore the Ottoman Empire.' He added that 'Turkey is not a force for peace and stability.'
While heaping praise on Turkey, Trump heavily criticized European counterparts over what he sees as their reluctance to cooperate in the Iran war. 'Italy turned us down, and Germany turned us down, and France turned us down, and it's OK, but why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars, and they're not there for us?,' Trump said. 'We've always been there for them.' In response to a question about a public spat with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Trump said he 'liked her' but her refusal to get involved in Iran 'soured my relationship with her a little.' Trump also criticized European nations for their stance on the Iran war, saying 'They're not doing their fair share to contribute to defence spending.' He also criticized European leaders for not helping the US in the Iran war, stating 'They're not doing their fair share to contribute to defence spending.' Trump suggested that he didn't have a problem with the fact that Turkey was also using Russian air defense systems, telling reporters: 'I have no concerns at all about anything.'
