U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will lift sanctions imposed on Türkiye and will consider allowing the country to purchase F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, marking a significant shift in U.S.-Türkiye defense relations.
The sanctions were imposed in 2020 under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) after Türkiye purchased the Russian-made S-400 air defense system. As part of those measures, Ankara was also removed from the F-35 fighter jet program, a move the Turkish government has long criticized as unfair.
Speaking during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Trump said the United States would remove the sanctions and make a decision on a possible F-35 sale. He added that the two leaders would also discuss expanding trade and strengthening bilateral ties.
Despite Trump's announcement, significant legal and political obstacles remain. U.S. law and congressional opposition continue to complicate any effort to restore Türkiye's participation in the F-35 program while it retains the Russian S-400 missile system, which Washington says poses security risks to the advanced aircraft.
The announcement is expected to influence relations within North Atlantic Treaty Organization, where Türkiye remains a key ally. Analysts say any final decision on lifting sanctions and approving F-35 sales will likely depend on further negotiations and approval from the U.S. Congress.