Decision announced during Ankara summit signals potential reorientation of US-Turkey relations
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Published On 7 Jul 2026
United States President Donald Trump announced plans to lift economic sanctions on Turkiye and indicated he will soon decide whether to resume sales of F-35 fighter jets to the NATO ally.
The remarks were made during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara.
The policy shift follows Washington’s exclusion of Turkiye from the F-35 program in 2019 after Ankara purchased Russian S-400 missile defense systems, which prompted sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
“We’re going to be taking the sanctions off,” Trump told reporters during the summit.
Positioned alongside Erdogan, Trump stated a decision on F-35 sales would be made “soon,” describing the aircraft as “the best plane by far” and noting the administration would “consider” resuming sales.
Restoring Turkiye to the F-35 program would require overcoming a 2020 law mandating proof that Ankara no longer possesses or operates the Russian systems.
The CAATSA sanctions targeted Turkiye’s Presidency of Defence Industries and included bans on US export licenses and financial restrictions.
Erdogan expressed hope for a “favorable decision” on the F-35s, referencing Turkiye’s prior commitment to purchase five jets from the US.
Trump’s announcement occurs as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intensified pressure on Washington to block F-35 sales to Turkiye, warning it could disrupt the regional balance secured by Israeli air power and US strategic posture.
The meeting highlights growing tensions between the Trump administration and Israel, which has repeatedly threatened to derail a ceasefire agreement with Iran.
Diplomatic relations between Turkiye and Israel have deteriorated in recent years, despite increased trade ties. Turkiye has strongly criticized Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
It remains uncertain how Congress will respond to a potential reversal on F-35 sales to Turkiye.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a key Israeli ally, told Turkiye Today that a solution might emerge despite potential congressional pushback.