U.S. to Lift Sanctions on Turkey, Considers F-35 Fighter Jet Sales
In a significant diplomatic shift, U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that the United States will remove sanctions imposed on Turkey in 2020. These sanctions were originally enacted due to Turkey’s purchase of Russian defense missiles. Trump also indicated potential plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, signaling a strengthening of ties with the NATO ally.
The decision marks a substantial gesture towards Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, whom Trump regards as a close ally. The removal of these sanctions could help mend a longstanding fracture in U.S.-Turkey relations. Despite generally positive relations during Trump’s presidency, Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system in 2019 had remained a contentious issue.
The U.S. had responded to Turkey’s purchase by imposing sanctions on a prominent Turkish defense firm and excluding Turkey from the F-35 stealth fighter jet program, where Turkey was a production partner. “We’re going to be taking the sanctions off,” Trump announced to reporters prior to a meeting with Erdogan during a NATO summit in Turkey. He further noted that the Secretary of State and the Treasury Secretary were actively working on the matter.
Trump expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of selling F-35 jets to Turkey, although he did not clarify how such a sale could proceed given existing legal barriers. “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. And it’s certainly something we will consider,” Trump stated.
Currently, U.S. law prohibits the sale of F-35s to Turkey as long as the S-400 system remains in Turkish possession, citing security concerns for U.S.-made combat aircraft. The law dictates that Turkey cannot operate or own the S-400 system if it wishes to be reintegrated into the F-35 program.
Sources familiar with the situation informed Reuters that Trump is likely to support a potential F-35 sale to Turkey. A possible solution that has emerged is transferring the Russian system to a third country, though no agreement has been finalized. The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, noted that it’s uncertain whether Russia would accept such an arrangement, given their end-user obligations in weapons deals.
President Trump’s visit to Turkey is the first by a U.S. president in over a decade. Erdogan welcomed Trump with an elaborate state ceremony, and both leaders commended each other in their public statements. Notably, under Trump’s administration, Turkey’s human rights issues have not been a focal point for U.S. foreign policy.
