President Donald Trump recently held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House, signaling that the United States might soon lift its hold on sales of advanced fighter jets to Ankara.
During Mr. Trump’s first term, the U.S. removed Turkey, a NATO ally, from its flagship F-35 fighter jet program after Turkey purchased an air defense system from Russia. U.S. officials were concerned that Turkey’s use of Russia’s S-400 surface-to-air missile system could be used to gather data on the capabilities of the F-35, potentially allowing this sensitive information to end up in Russian hands.
Mr. Trump began his two-hour meeting with Mr. Erdogan by expressing hope that a resolution to the matter could be reached during their talks. “He needs certain things, and we need certain things, and we’re going to come to a conclusion. You’ll know by the end of the day,” Mr. Trump said.
The President added to Mr. Erdogan, “I think you’ll be successful with buying the things you would like to buy.” In a brief exchange with reporters as he bid farewell to Mr. Erdogan, Mr. Trump described the meeting as good but did not provide further details.
This was Mr. Erdogan’s first trip to the White House since 2019, a visit that highlighted the very good relationship the two leaders forged during Mr. Trump’s first term in office.
Over the years, U.S. officials have cited concerns regarding Turkey’s human rights record under Mr. Erdogan, as well as the country’s ties with Russia. Tensions between Turkey and Israel, another important American ally, over issues in Gaza and Syria have occasionally complicated relations.
Before the meeting, Mr. Trump focused on Turkey’s continued economic relationship with Russia. “The best thing he could do is not buy oil and gas from Russia,” he said. Turkey has been one of the biggest buyers of Russian fossil fuels since the European Union announced in early 2023 that it would boycott most Russian seaborne oil.
Since January 2023, Ankara has purchased more than $90 billion worth of Russian oil, coal, and natural gas, making it the third-largest buyer after China and India.
Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and Mr. Trump’s envoy to Syria, stated that the presidents discussed all major issues in the U.S.-Turkey relationship, including Russia and the F-35 program, and identified paths forward. When asked if Turkey is willing to reduce its substantial oil purchases from Russia, Mr. Barrack replied, “You have to ask them.”
During Mr. Erdogan’s visit, Turkey’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Mr. Trump’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed a memorandum of understanding on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation, the minister announced on X (formerly Twitter). Mr. Bayraktar did not provide details but confirmed that the two countries had launched a new process that would strengthen ties in nuclear energy.
Mr. Trump also highlighted that Mr. Erdogan is respected by both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “I think he could have a big influence if he wants to,” Mr. Trump said.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/trump-could-lift-ban-on-fighter-jet-sales-to-turkey-after-talks-with-erdogan-1811129.html
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