President Donald Trump said he would consider allowing Turkey to purchase U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jets [1].

This potential shift in policy could reshape defense relations between the two nations. Turkey was previously blocked from purchasing the aircraft after it acquired S-400 missile systems from Russia [2].

The first indication of this shift occurred during the first day of the NATO summit in Ankara on June 24, 2025 [1]. During that event, Trump said, "We will consider allowing Turkey to buy the F-35" [1].

Follow-up discussions continued later that year. Trump hosted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on September 24, 2025, to further discuss the lifting of the sales ban [3]. John Kirby, the White House National Security Council spokesperson, said the administration was reviewing the possibility of lifting the ban [3].

The move aims to improve U.S.-Turkey defense relations by removing sanctions that have strained the alliance [2]. However, the proposal has faced criticism from regional partners. Benjamin Netanyahu said on July 7, 2026, that "Turkey is not exactly a model ally" [4].

While the administration has expressed openness to the sale, no final decision has been reached. The tension remains between the desire for a stronger strategic partnership with Ankara, and concerns over Turkey's military ties with Russia [2].

“"We will consider allowing Turkey to buy the F-35."”

The potential sale of F-35s to Turkey represents a pivot in U.S. foreign policy, prioritizing bilateral strategic ties over the strict enforcement of sanctions related to Russian military hardware. If finalized, the move would integrate Turkey more deeply into NATO's advanced aerial infrastructure but may alienate allies who view Turkey's geopolitical alignment as inconsistent.