U.S. President Donald Trump met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on July 7, 2026 [2], ahead of the NATO summit.
The meeting serves as a critical diplomatic precursor to the broader alliance gathering, as both leaders seek to align on security priorities and defense procurement. The outcome of these talks could influence the summit's overall agenda and the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Turkey.
During the bilateral discussions, the two leaders addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine and the issue of defense spending. A central point of contention and potential agreement involves the transfer of advanced military hardware to Turkey. Trump said, "I am considering whether to sell Turkey F-35 fighter jets" [1].
The discussions occur amid heightened regional tensions. Just before the summit, Ukraine launched more than 400 drones targeting Moscow [1], an escalation that adds urgency to the NATO members' conversations regarding stability in Eastern Europe.
President Trump and President Erdogan used the meeting to establish a framework for their interactions during the larger summit. The potential sale of F-35s remains a pivotal topic, as Turkey has long sought to integrate these aircraft into its fleet to modernize its air capabilities.
The meeting in Ankara [3] marks a strategic effort to resolve bilateral frictions before the U.S. president engages with the full roster of NATO allies. Both leaders said that the summit agenda will prioritize collective defense, and the management of the conflict in Ukraine.
“"I am considering whether to sell Turkey F-35 fighter jets."”
The bilateral meeting signals a transactional approach to diplomacy, where the potential sale of high-tech military assets like F-35s may be used as leverage to secure Turkish cooperation on NATO priorities. By addressing these issues in Ankara before the formal summit, the U.S. aims to minimize public friction and ensure a more unified front against Russian aggression, especially following the recent drone strikes on Moscow.
