President Donald Trump said the United States will lift sanctions on Turkey and consider selling F-35 fighter jets to the nation [1].
This shift in policy marks a significant reversal in diplomatic and military relations between the two NATO allies. The decision addresses a long-standing rift caused by Turkey's decision to acquire military technology from Russia, which previously jeopardized its standing in international defense programs.
During a meeting in Ankara, Trump said the restrictions had been in place following Turkey's purchase of the S-400 missile-defense system [1]. That acquisition led to Turkey's removal from the F-35 program, as the U.S. argued the Russian system compromised the security of the advanced stealth jets.
"We will lift the sanctions that were placed on Turkey after the S-400 purchase," Trump said [1].
While the president indicated that sanctions would be removed, the status of the F-35 aircraft remains under deliberation. Trump said the U.S. is considering the sale of the jets to Ankara [1]. Other reports suggest the president is expected to support a potential sale, though a final decision has not been formalized [3].
The move comes after years of tension between Washington and Ankara. The S-400 purchase created a strategic divide that limited Turkey's access to high-end U.S. military hardware, a gap the current administration is now seeking to close [1].
Trump's statements were made on Tuesday, July 2, 2026 [1]. The meeting in the Turkish capital served as the primary venue for the announcement, signaling a desire to reset the bilateral relationship through defense cooperation [2].
“"We will lift the sanctions that were placed on Turkey after the S-400 purchase."”
The potential restoration of F-35 sales and the removal of sanctions signal a pivot toward pragmatic diplomacy over strict adherence to previous security mandates. By decoupling the S-400 acquisition from future defense cooperation, the U.S. may be prioritizing the strategic alliance with Turkey as a regional power in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, even at the cost of maintaining a hard line against Russian military influence.
