Relations between the United States and Turkiye are showing signs of warming after a high-level meeting at the White House. Both countries had faced years of tension, but the recent talks have opened a possible new chapter. President Donald Trump said he is now considering lifting sanctions that have stopped Turkiye from buying advanced F-35 fighter jets.
The discussion came after a two-hour meeting between Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. Sitting side by side in the Oval Office, both men exchanged friendly words. Trump described Erdogan as “a very tough man,” while noting that their personal relationship remained strong. This was in clear contrast to former U.S. President Joe Biden, who had kept more distance from Ankara.
Erdogan arrived in Washington hopeful. His goal was clear: get Trump’s approval to remove the U.S. restrictions and return Turkiye to the F-35 program, a project it had previously invested in as both a buyer and a manufacturing partner.
Oil, Sanctions, and Fighter Jets
One of the key topics in the meeting was Turkiye’s purchase of Russian oil. Trump has been urging allies to cut back on buying Russian energy, saying it funds Moscow’s war in Ukraine. When asked if Turkiye would agree, Trump sounded confident. “I believe he will stop it,” he told reporters, adding that Erdogan could find many other suppliers.
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While other European countries like Hungary and Slovakia also rely on Russian oil, Trump was more lenient toward them. He explained that those nations have fewer alternatives for energy compared to Turkiye.
In exchange for halting Russian oil imports, Washington is considering easing sanctions. These penalties, imposed by Trump in 2020, blocked the delivery of F-35s to Turkiye after it purchased Russian S-400 missile systems. At the time, the decision marked a sharp downturn in the relationship, leading to Turkiye’s removal from the fighter jet program.
Now, the mood seems different. Trump hinted at a possible quick deal, saying sanctions could be lifted “very soon” if the meeting with Erdogan went well. “I think he’ll be successful in buying the things that he wants to buy,” Trump added, signaling openness to restoring military trade.
Both Washington and Ankara now find themselves aligning on several regional issues. Their interests in Syria, once a major point of conflict, are now more closely matched. This new alignment has helped ease tensions and build a stronger foundation for cooperation.
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For Erdogan, upgrading Turkiye’s air power remains a top priority. Officials have stressed the need to strengthen the country’s defenses in the Middle East, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. With conflict still raging in Ukraine and Russia nearby, these goals have taken on even greater urgency.
Beyond the F-35s, talks also touched on Turkiye’s request for 40 new F-16 jets and upgrades to its existing fleet. Together, these purchases would boost Turkiye’s ability to defend itself and contribute to NATO missions.
The discussions at the White House covered more than just defense. Trade, energy, and regional conflicts were all part of the agenda. But the central focus remained on whether the United States would remove the sanctions that have frozen Turkiye out of the F-35 program.
For now, the signals coming from Washington suggest a warming of ties, with Trump and Erdogan both looking to turn the page on past disagreements. The friendly tone and open talk of lifting sanctions have raised expectations in Ankara that it may soon rejoin the F-35 project and strengthen its role within NATO.