Arabic version: ترامب يخطط لرفع العقوبات عن تركيا وينظر في مبيعات F-35

United States President Donald Trump has said he will lift sanctions on Turkiye and will soon decide on resuming sales of F-35s. The statement on Tuesday came as Trump met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of a NATO leaders’ summit in Ankara.

According to Al Jazeera, Trump stated, “We’re going to be taking the sanctions off,” while sitting alongside Erdogan. He mentioned that a decision regarding the sale of F-35s would be made soon, emphasizing the aircraft’s superior capabilities.

The potential return of Turkiye to the F-35 program follows its removal in 2019 after acquiring Russian S-400 air defense systems. The U.S. had imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which specifically targeted Turkiye’s Presidency of Defence Industries and included export license bans as well as financial and banking restrictions.

Erdogan expressed hope for a favorable outcome regarding the F-35s, noting that Turkiye had previously been promised five jets. However, any move to reinstate Turkiye in the F-35 program must navigate a 2020 law that requires a determination that Ankara no longer possesses or operates the Russian systems.

As discussions unfold, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced opposition to the sales, claiming it could disrupt the power balance in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham indicated openness to the idea, acknowledging potential pushback in Congress but suggesting a solution might be achievable.