President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States will lift Turkey sanctions imposed over Ankara’s purchase of a Russian air defense system. The announcement came as Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the start of a NATO summit in Ankara.
Trump Praises Erdogan as Turkey Sanctions Decision Emerges
Trump met Erdogan at Turkey’s presidential palace as NATO leaders gathered for talks on defense spending, regional security and the war in Ukraine.
“We’re going to be taking the sanctions off,” Trump told reporters before the meeting, according to reports from the summit. He also said his administration would consider selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
The sanctions date back to 2020. Washington imposed them after Turkey bought Russia’s S-400 missile defense system. The purchase also led the United States to remove Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program.
Trump described Erdogan as a strong leader and said the two leaders have a working relationship. Erdogan has long sought relief from the sanctions and a path back into the F-35 program.
F-35 Question Still Faces Legal Hurdles
The announcement does not automatically clear the way for new F-35 sales. U.S. law still blocks Turkey from receiving the fighter jets while it owns or operates the Russian S-400 system.
That issue remains one of the biggest unresolved questions between Washington and Ankara. U.S. officials have argued that the Russian system could pose risks to American aircraft technology.
Trump said the F-35 issue remains under consideration. He did not give a timeline or outline how the legal barriers could be resolved.
The possible shift would mark a major change in U.S.-Turkey defense relations. It could also draw scrutiny from members of Congress who remain concerned about Turkey’s military ties with Russia.
NATO Summit Focuses on Defense Spending
The NATO summit opened as Trump pushed allies to spend more on defense. European leaders are trying to show that they are increasing military budgets and taking on more security responsibilities.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said allies are investing billions in defense industries and military readiness. Leaders also discussed air defense needs, military production and support for Ukraine.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky urged NATO countries to provide stronger air defense support as Russia continues missile attacks. Trump is expected to meet Zelensky on the summit sidelines.
The summit also comes after tensions between Trump and some European allies over the Iran conflict. Trump criticized several countries for not supporting U.S. military actions during that crisis.
Turkey’s Role in NATO Gains Attention
Turkey’s position inside NATO has grown more important as the alliance addresses conflicts in Europe and the Middle East. Ankara controls access to the Black Sea and has built a larger defense industry in recent years.
Still, Turkey remains a complicated ally for Washington and other NATO members. Its S-400 purchase, domestic politics and regional disputes have caused friction within the alliance.
Trump’s decision to lift Turkey sanctions could strengthen Erdogan’s standing at the summit. It may also reopen debate over how NATO balances military cooperation with concerns about Russian weapons systems.
For communities following global affairs, the decision matters because NATO policy can affect U.S. security, defense spending and international stability. The next test will be whether Washington and Ankara can turn Tuesday’s announcement into a workable agreement.