Ankara (Somalia Today) — US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would lift sanctions imposed on Turkey over its purchase of a Russian missile defence system and signalled he could support selling Ankara F-35 fighter jets, a move likely to trigger strong resistance in Congress.
Trump made the announcement during the first visit to Turkey by a US president in 11 years, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed him with a lavish state ceremony in Ankara.
Turkish soldiers on horseback escorted Trump’s motorcade to the presidential palace, where the two leaders praised each other in public remarks that marked a sharp shift from the cooler ties seen under former president Joe Biden.
“We’re going to be taking the sanctions off,” Trump told reporters before talks with Erdogan on the sidelines of a NATO summit.
“It’s time. We don’t want to sanction friends,” he said, adding that his secretary of state and treasury secretary were working on the issue.
The dispute has strained relations between the NATO allies since 2019, when Turkey took delivery of Russia’s S-400 air defence system despite repeated US warnings.
Washington removed Turkey from the F-35 stealth fighter programme that year and, in 2020, imposed sanctions on a major Turkish defence agency.
Trump said he had no concern about Ankara still possessing the Russian system.
“I have no concerns about anything having to do with Turkey,” he said. “I would say the relationship with Turkey right now is better probably than it’s ever been.”
‘Much more loyal’
Trump also suggested he could support allowing Turkey to buy F-35 stealth fighters, even though US law currently blocks such a sale while Ankara retains the S-400.
“Turkey has been, in many ways, much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal,” Trump said.
“It’s a great plane; it’s the best, currently the best plane by far. And it’s certainly something we will consider,” he added.
Erdogan said he hoped for a positive outcome on Turkey’s long-running request to return to the F-35 programme.
“We have discussed this before with the US and were promised five jets,” Erdogan said. “I know that Mr Trump always keeps his promises.”
Turkey had planned to buy 100 F-35s and had been part of the aircraft’s production chain before Washington removed it from the programme.
US officials have long argued that Turkey cannot operate both the Russian S-400 system and the F-35, warning that Moscow could use the missile system to gather information on the aircraft’s stealth capabilities.
Congressional resistance
Any attempt to sell F-35s to Turkey would face a difficult path in Washington.
Congress passed legislation in late 2019 barring the transfer of the jets to Turkey as long as Ankara keeps the S-400 system.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Republican Representative Mike Lawler and Democratic Representative Brad Sherman wrote to Trump last week expressing “deep concern” about any such sale.
They cited US law, Turkey’s relations with Iran and Erdogan’s criticism of Israel.
Republican Senator John Cornyn also signalled opposition on Tuesday, writing “I hope this is wrong” on X in response to reports that Trump was ready to back the deal.
One possible solution discussed in recent weeks would involve Turkey sending the Russian system to a third country, according to people familiar with the matter.
But no agreement has been reached, and it remains unclear whether Russia would accept such a move. Moscow often attaches end-user restrictions to major weapons sales.
Strategic ally
The renewed warmth between Trump and Erdogan comes as NATO allies increasingly view Turkey as a vital partner on the alliance’s south-eastern flank.
Turkey has NATO’s second-largest military, controls access to the Black Sea through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles, and has become a leading exporter of armed drones.
Its drones have played a prominent role in conflicts from Ukraine to the Caucasus, adding to Ankara’s value at a time when Western governments remain focused on Russia.
That strategic role has helped Erdogan regain leverage within NATO, even as concerns over democracy, the rule of law, and press freedom in Turkey draw less public attention from allies.
Trump has also repeatedly criticised NATO members for what he sees as their failure to contribute enough to the alliance and to Washington’s broader military priorities.
He said he might not have attended the summit at all had Erdogan not invited him, further underlining the importance he places on personal ties with the Turkish leader.
Rights concerns muted
The public display of warmth stood in contrast to Washington’s more distant relationship with Ankara under Biden.
Trump repeatedly praised Erdogan at the presidential palace, saying he had “chemistry” with the Turkish leader.
His remarks included no public criticism of Turkey’s human rights record, despite a widening crackdown on Erdogan’s opponents.
Turkey has seen an unprecedented legal campaign against the main opposition Republican People’s Party, including the jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Erdoğan’s most prominent rival.
Imamoglu, who has been named the opposition’s presidential candidate, denies the charges against him. His supporters say the case aims to remove Erdogan’s strongest challenger from politics.
Erdogan’s government rejects accusations of political interference and says Turkish courts act independently.
But on Tuesday, Trump focused instead on repairing a defence relationship that has shaped one of the most serious rifts between Washington and Ankara in years.
For Erdogan, a return to the F-35 programme would mark a major diplomatic victory.
For Trump, lifting sanctions would fit his broader preference for personal diplomacy with powerful allies — even when Congress may stand in the way.
