Trump said on Tuesday that the U.S. will lift sanctions on Turkey that were issued after Ankara purchased a Russian missile defense system that led to the country being kicked out of the F-35 fighter jet program.
There are still a number of legal hurdles before Turkey could be fully admitted back to the U.S. program, but the removal of the sanctions — issued under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act — would help ease the process for Ankara to regain access to the F-35s, a top goal of Erdogan.
“We’re going to be taking the sanctions off, OK?” Trump said in response to a question at the presidential palace in Ankara. He said Cabinet officials were working on the matter.
Earlier, he said that the possibility of selling the F-35s to Turkey is “certainly something we will consider.”
Trump's comments come after Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu voiced opposition to the proposed sale.
Netanyahu's concerns are based on the fact of Turkey's friendhip with the Hamas terrorist group. Leaders of Hamas have been welcomed in Turkey despite the Hamas massacre of more than 1200 Israeli men, women and children in October 2023.
Trump arrived in Turkey on Tuesday for a two day NATO summit.
Trump has been critical of NATO’s abilities to function without American leadership and power, moving to withdraw U.S. troops from Europe and casting doubt on whether the U.S. would come to the aid of a NATO ally under attack. He remains disappointed at some NATO allies’ refusal to join the Iran war he launched alongside Israel without consulting them.
Alliance leaders are trying to show Trump that their countries are actively increasing their military capabilities even as the American focus shifts from defending Europe. The two-day summit will showcase military projects worth billions of dollars aimed at persuading Trump they’re making a stronger Europe for a stronger NATO.
