United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday said his administration will lift sanctions on Turkey and will soon decide whether to resume the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the country. He announced while meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO leaders' summit in Ankara. The development marks a shift in Washington's position after it removed Turkey from the F-35 programme in 2019 following Ankara's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system. The United States also imposed sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA.&nbsp;"We're going to be taking the sanctions off," Trump told reporters.&nbsp;Sitting beside Erdogan, Trump also indicated that his administration was reviewing Turkey's request to acquire the advanced fighter aircraft.&nbsp;"That's a decision we're going to make… it's a great plane, the best plane by far, and it's certainly something we will consider," Trump said.&nbsp;The announcement followed a lavish welcome for Trump in Turkey, where Ottoman warriors in suits of armour greeted him outside a marble palace as fighter jets flew overhead. Erdogan also personally received Trump at the airport, at times holding the US President by the arm after he stepped off the new Air Force One.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-tankers-hit-in-strait-of-hormuz-in-24-hours-amid-us-iran-ceasefire-1783439591272">Three tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours amid US-Iran ceasefire</a><h2>Netanyahu says F-35 sale would upset regional balance</h2>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposed the possible sale of F 35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey, warning that such a move would affect the balance of power in the Middle East.&nbsp;"It would destroy the power balance in the Middle East, because Turkey, I think, has aggressive aspirations," Netanyahu told CNN in a televised interview, AFP reported. &nbsp;&nbsp;"When you give them that power, you're going to see aggression in its wake," it added.&nbsp;Turkey has long sought to rejoin the F-35 programme and pushed for the removal of US sanctions, which have strained relations and affected its defence projects. Netanyahu has previously opposed supplying the aircraft to Turkey, while Erdogan is hoping that his relationship with Trump will help secure the delivery of five F-35 jets, for which payment has already been made.

Any move to readmit Turkey to the F-35 programme would have to clear a key legal hurdle under a 2020 law requiring the US administration to determine that Ankara no longer possesses or operates the Russian S-400 systems.

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday said his administration will lift sanctions on Turkey and will soon decide whether to resume the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the country. He announced while meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO leaders' summit in Ankara. The development marks a shift in Washington's position after it removed Turkey from the F-35 programme in 2019 following Ankara's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system. The United States also imposed sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA. "We're going to be taking the sanctions off," Trump told reporters. Sitting beside Erdogan, Trump also indicated that his administration was reviewing Turkey's request to acquire the advanced fighter aircraft. "That's a decision we're going to make… it's a great plane, the best plane by far, and it's certainly something we will consider," Trump said. The announcement followed a lavish welcome for Trump in Turkey, where Ottoman warriors in suits of armour greeted him outside a marble palace as fighter jets flew overhead. Erdogan also personally received Trump at the airport, at times holding the US President by the arm after he stepped off the new Air Force One. Also Read: Three tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours amid US-Iran ceasefire Netanyahu says F-35 sale would upset regional balance Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposed the possible sale of F 35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey, warning that such a move would affect the balance of power in the Middle East. "It would destroy the power balance in the Middle East, because Turkey, I think, has aggressive aspirations," Netanyahu told CNN in a televised interview, AFP reported. "When you give them that power, you're going to see aggression in its wake," it added. Turkey has long sought to rejoin the F-35 programme and pushed for the removal of US sanctions, which have strained relations and affected its defence projects. Netanyahu has previously opposed supplying the aircraft to Turkey, while Erdogan is hoping that his relationship with Trump will help secure the delivery of five F-35 jets, for which payment has already been made.

Any move to readmit Turkey to the F-35 programme would have to clear a key legal hurdle under a 2020 law requiring the US administration to determine that Ankara no longer possesses or operates the Russian S-400 systems.

Trump open to F-35 sale to Turkey; Netanyahu says it would 'destroy' Middle East power balance

US President Donald Trump briefly shared and later deleted a post on Truth Social on Saturday (May 23) in which he thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan while reposting a statement praising his leadership. “Thank you President Erdogan!” Trump wrote in the now-deleted post.&nbsp;The message also included a quote describing Trump in highly favourable terms. “President Trump is the leader the world has been awaiting for centuries, He doesn’t just talk about strength, He embodies it,” the quoted statement said. The reason for deleting the post was not immediately clear.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Trump DELETES post featuring Erdogan’s praise for him<a href="https://t.co/1VwM7oWwaq">https://t.co/1VwM7oWwaq</a> <a href="https://t.co/gGRQxc8F4D">pic.twitter.com/gGRQxc8F4D</a>&mdash; RT (@RT_com) <a href="https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/2058283736257433894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-iran-us-agreement-largely-negotiated-pakistan-pm-hopes-to-host-next-round-of-talks-iran-us-war-strait-of-hormuz-1779585420095">Trump says Iran-US agreement 'largely negotiated', Pakistan PM hopes to host next round of talks - Is the war finally ending?</a>&nbsp;The development came as Trump was reportedly preparing to hold discussions with regional leaders regarding negotiations with Iran. According to Reuters, citing an Arab official, Trump was expected to speak by phone on Saturday with the leaders of Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Pakistan.&nbsp;Axios also reported that Trump was expected to hold talks with Gulf leaders during the day to discuss Iran-related issues. Sources cited in the report said Egypt, Pakistan and Türkiye could also join the call.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/wion-decodes-what-is-trump-s-1-7b-weaponization-fund-proposal-outlines-compensation-for-alleged-political-targeting-1779350111085">WION Decodes| What is Trump’s $1.7B ‘weaponization’ fund? Proposal outlines compensation for alleged 'political targeting'</a>&nbsp;Trump and Erdogan last held a phone conversation on May 20, during which they discussed Türkiye-US bilateral relations, as well as regional and global matters. Speaking about that call, Trump described it as “very good” and praised his relationship with the Turkish leader.&nbsp;“We have a very good relationship. He’s a strong man, but I have a relationship with him that nobody else has,” Trump said. “I think he has been a very good ally. Some people might doubt that, but I think he has been a great ally and his people respect him,” he added. &nbsp;

Donald Trump deleted a Truth Social post thanking Turkish President Erdogan and praising his own leadership, amid preparations for phone calls with regional leaders to discuss ongoing negotiations with Iran.

US President Donald Trump briefly shared and later deleted a post on Truth Social on Saturday (May 23) in which he thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan while reposting a statement praising his leadership. “Thank you President Erdogan!” Trump wrote in the now-deleted post. The message also included a quote describing Trump in highly favourable terms. “President Trump is the leader the world has been awaiting for centuries, He doesn’t just talk about strength, He embodies it,” the quoted statement said. The reason for deleting the post was not immediately clear.

Donald Trump deleted a Truth Social post thanking Turkish President Erdogan and praising his own leadership, amid preparations for phone calls with regional leaders to discuss ongoing negotiations with Iran.

A connection with Iran talks? Trump thanks 'very good ally' Erdogan in Truth Social post, later deletes it

US President Trump met Turkey President Erdogan on the sidelines of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-leaders-including-trudeau-macron-caught-mocking-trump-on-camera-266158">NATO summit</a> in a one-to-one bilateral meeting.

The meeting of President Trump with the Turkish president was not on the US president's published agenda.

"The presidents discussed the importance of Turkey fulfilling its alliance commitments, further strengthening commerce through boosting bilateral trade by $100 billion, regional security challenges, and energy security," the White House said.

Trump and Macron had openly clashed over NATO's future with US president calling Macron's "brain dead" remark on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-macrons-criticism-of-nato-very-very-nasty-before-summit-266035">NATO as "very insulting"</a>. "Nobody needs NATO more than France," he warned. "It's a very dangerous statement for them to make."

During the joint press conference, Macron accused Turkey of working with ISIS-linked groups in Syria.

"The common enemy today are the terrorist groups, as we mentioned, and I'm sorry to say that we don't have the same definition of terrorism around the table," Macron told reporters with President Trump by his side.

Macron accused Turkey of working with "ISIS proxies".

"When I came in, I was angry at NATO, and now I've raised $130 billion," Trump said later on Tuesday, adding,"And yet you still have many delinquents - you know I call them delinquent when they're not paid up in full."&nbsp;

Erdogan had earlier said NATO should brand Kurdish militant group YPG as "terrorists".&nbsp;

"With joy, we will come together and have talks on this issue," Erdogan said at a press conference in Ankara before boarding the plane.

"But if terror organisations whom we fight against are not accepted by NATO friends as terror groups, sorry but we will be against all steps to be taken there."

 
&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

US President Trump met Turkey President Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in a one-to-one bilateral meeting. The meeting of President Trump with the Turkish president was not on the US president's published agenda.

US President Trump met Turkey President Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in a one-to-one bilateral meeting. The meeting of President Trump with the Turkish president was not on the US president's published agenda. "The presidents discussed the importance of Turkey fulfilling its alliance commitments, further strengthening commerce through boosting bilateral trade by $100 billion, regional security challenges, and energy security," the White House said. Trump and Macron had openly clashed over NATO's future with US president calling Macron's "brain dead" remark on NATO as "very insulting". "Nobody needs NATO more than France," he warned. "It's a very dangerous statement for them to make." During the joint press conference, Macron accused Turkey of working with ISIS-linked groups in Syria. "The common enemy today are the terrorist groups, as we mentioned, and I'm sorry to say that we don't have the same definition of terrorism around the table," Macron told reporters with President Trump by his side. Macron accused Turkey of working with "ISIS proxies". "When I came in, I was angry at NATO, and now I've raised $130 billion," Trump said later on Tuesday, adding,"And yet you still have many delinquents - you know I call them delinquent when they're not paid up in full." Erdogan had earlier said NATO should brand Kurdish militant group YPG as "terrorists". "With joy, we will come together and have talks on this issue," Erdogan said at a press conference in Ankara before boarding the plane. "But if terror organisations whom we fight against are not accepted by NATO friends as terror groups, sorry but we will be against all steps to be taken there."

Trump meets Erdogan 'unannounced' at NATO summit

Turkey's defence ministry said the first parts of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-a-problem-trump-tells-erdogan-on-russia-s-400-missile-deal-231388">S-400 Russian missile defence</a> systems were delivered to Ankara on Friday.

Turkey's acquisition of the Russian system is a source of tension between Turkey and NATO ally United States.

"The delivery of parts belonging to the system will continue in the coming days," Turkey's defence industry directorate said separately. "Once the system is completely ready, it will begin to be used in a way determined by the relevant authorities," it added.

A Russian Air Force AN-124 cargo plane had flown to Turkey early on Friday morning and was last tracked approaching Ankara, data from Flightradar24 website showed. Turkish broadcasters showed footage of the plane at the Murted Air Base.

Turkey had earlier called on the United States to avoid steps harmful to bilateral relations after the US State Department spokeswoman reiterated Ankara would face "real and negative consequences" for acquiring<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-s-400-missile-delivery-to-turkey-will-have-consequences-us-230313"> Russian S-400 defence systems</a>.

Turkey's foreign ministry spokesman had said the comments by the State Department's Morgan Ortagus were not in line with the spirit and content of talks between presidents of the two countries at the G20 summit last month.

President Tayyip Erdogan said after meeting President Donald Trump in Osaka that the United States did not plan to impose sanctions on Ankara for buying the S-400s, which he said would arrive in the first half of July. Trump said Turkey had not been treated fairly but did not rule out sanctions.

The United States says the S-400s are not compatible with NATO's defence network and could compromise its Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter jets, an aircraft Turkey is helping to build and planning to buy.

Turkey could face expulsion from the F-35 programme and other US&nbsp;sanctions if it goes ahead with the S-400 delivery. Washington has already halted training of Turkish pilots in the United States on the aircraft.

Turkey's defence ministry said the first parts of the S-400 Russian missile defence systems were delivered to Ankara on Friday. Turkey's acquisition of the Russian system is a source of tension between Turkey and NATO ally United States.

Turkey's defence ministry said the first parts of the S-400 Russian missile defence systems were delivered to Ankara on Friday. Turkey's acquisition of the Russian system is a source of tension between Turkey and NATO ally United States. "The delivery of parts belonging to the system will continue in the coming days," Turkey's defence industry directorate said separately. "Once the system is completely ready, it will begin to be used in a way determined by the relevant authorities," it added. A Russian Air Force AN-124 cargo plane had flown to Turkey early on Friday morning and was last tracked approaching Ankara, data from Flightradar24 website showed. Turkish broadcasters showed footage of the plane at the Murted Air Base. Turkey had earlier called on the United States to avoid steps harmful to bilateral relations after the US State Department spokeswoman reiterated Ankara would face "real and negative consequences" for acquiring Russian S-400 defence systems. Turkey's foreign ministry spokesman had said the comments by the State Department's Morgan Ortagus were not in line with the spirit and content of talks between presidents of the two countries at the G20 summit last month. President Tayyip Erdogan said after meeting President Donald Trump in Osaka that the United States did not plan to impose sanctions on Ankara for buying the S-400s, which he said would arrive in the first half of July. Trump said Turkey had not been treated fairly but did not rule out sanctions. The United States says the S-400s are not compatible with NATO's defence network and could compromise its Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter jets, an aircraft Turkey is helping to build and planning to buy. Turkey could face expulsion from the F-35 programme and other US sanctions if it goes ahead with the S-400 delivery. Washington has already halted training of Turkish pilots in the United States on the aircraft.

First part of Russian S-400 missile defence system delivered: Turkey

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said he hoped to persuade the United States not to exclude Turkey from taking part in the F-35 fighter jet programme, ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump later this month.&nbsp;

Erdogan, who is to meet Trump on the margins of G20 summit in Japan on June 28-29, said in a televised speech that before the gathering he "would like to discuss this issue by telephone and reverse it from the current situation back to where we started".

Washington has given Turkey until the end of July to abandon its purchase of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-and-erdogan-discuss-s-400-missile-deal-208998">major Russian missile defence system</a>, which it considers incompatible with Ankara's participation in the US's construction of its F-35 stealth fighters.

The Pentagon announced on Friday that if by July 31 Turkey did not give <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-have-made-an-agreement-with-russia-no-backtracking-on-s400-missile-system-erdogan-224109">up on the S-400 system</a>, Ankara would be blocked from purchasing F-35 fighter jets and Turkish pilots currently training in the US would be expelled.

Erdogan vowed to seek answers on his country's "exclusion from F-35 project for reasons that have no rational or legitimate basis", adding that Turkey was not only a customer but also a programme partner of the F-35 project.

Turkey plans to buy 100 F-35s and its defence industry has made significant investment in the warplanes' production.

"We have so far paid $1.250 billion," Erdogan said.&nbsp;

The Turkish leader, however, repeated there would be no step back from Ankara's plans.

"Look, I am not saying Turkey will buy the S400 defence system, I say Turkey has bought it," he added.

"We have completed the business. God willing, the system will be delivered to our country next month."

The purchase has raised eyebrows among Turkey's NATO allies and provoked anger in Washington, which expected Ankara to opt for the American Patriot air defence system instead.&nbsp;

But Erdogan said Russia offered a better deal including reasonable pricing and a joint production promise.

"This is not an attack system but a defence system. Won't we take necessary measures to defend our country?" he said.&nbsp;

"Did we ask for such a defence system from America? Yes, we did. Did they deliver? No, they didn't," he said.

Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Friday the US offer for the Patriots was "very competitive".

He also said he had sent a letter to his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar informing him of Washington's decision to pull Turkey out of the F-35 programme unless it abandons its plans to buy the S400 system.

Akar said in a statement Wednesday that the language used in the letter "does not bode well for the spirit of the alliance."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said he hoped to persuade the United States not to exclude Turkey from taking part in the F-35 fighter jet programme, ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump later this month.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said he hoped to persuade the United States not to exclude Turkey from taking part in the F-35 fighter jet programme, ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump later this month. Erdogan, who is to meet Trump on the margins of G20 summit in Japan on June 28-29, said in a televised speech that before the gathering he "would like to discuss this issue by telephone and reverse it from the current situation back to where we started". Washington has given Turkey until the end of July to abandon its purchase of a major Russian missile defence system, which it considers incompatible with Ankara's participation in the US's construction of its F-35 stealth fighters. The Pentagon announced on Friday that if by July 31 Turkey did not give up on the S-400 system, Ankara would be blocked from purchasing F-35 fighter jets and Turkish pilots currently training in the US would be expelled. Erdogan vowed to seek answers on his country's "exclusion from F-35 project for reasons that have no rational or legitimate basis", adding that Turkey was not only a customer but also a programme partner of the F-35 project. Turkey plans to buy 100 F-35s and its defence industry has made significant investment in the warplanes' production. "We have so far paid $1.250 billion," Erdogan said. The Turkish leader, however, repeated there would be no step back from Ankara's plans. "Look, I am not saying Turkey will buy the S400 defence system, I say Turkey has bought it," he added. "We have completed the business. God willing, the system will be delivered to our country next month." The purchase has raised eyebrows among Turkey's NATO allies and provoked anger in Washington, which expected Ankara to opt for the American Patriot air defence system instead. But Erdogan said Russia offered a better deal including reasonable pricing and a joint production promise. "This is not an attack system but a defence system. Won't we take necessary measures to defend our country?" he said. "Did we ask for such a defence system from America? Yes, we did. Did they deliver? No, they didn't," he said. Acting US Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said Friday the US offer for the Patriots was "very competitive". He also said he had sent a letter to his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar informing him of Washington's decision to pull Turkey out of the F-35 programme unless it abandons its plans to buy the S400 system. Akar said in a statement Wednesday that the language used in the letter "does not bode well for the spirit of the alliance."

Would like to keep F-35 fighter jet programme with US: Erdogan

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Trump open to F-35 sale to Turkey; Netanyahu says it would 'destroy' Middle East power balance

Trump thanks 'very good ally' Erdogan in Truth Social post, later deletes it

Trump meets Erdogan 'unannounced' at NATO summit

First part of Russian S-400 missile defence system delivered: Turkey

Would like to keep F-35 fighter jet programme with US: Erdogan