Former U.S. President Donald Trump met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House, signaling a possible resolution to the long-standing dispute over advanced fighter jets.
During Trump’s first term, Turkey was expelled from the U.S.-led F-35 program after it purchased Russia’s S-400 missile defense system. U.S. officials feared the system could compromise F-35 technology and benefit Russia.
In this latest meeting, Trump hinted that restrictions might be eased: “He needs certain things, and we need certain things, and we’re going to come to a conclusion. You’ll know by the end of the day.”
Economic and Energy Tensions
Beyond military hardware, Trump pressed Erdoğan on Turkey’s growing energy imports from Russia. Since January 2023, Ankara has purchased over $90 billion worth of Russian oil, gas, and coal—placing it behind only China and India.
Trump urged Erdoğan to reduce reliance on Moscow, framing it as critical for the West’s pressure campaign: “The best thing he could do is not buy oil and gas from Russia.”
Human Rights, Alliances, and Biden’s Distance
U.S.–Turkey relations have long been strained by Ankara’s human rights record and its closer ties to Moscow. Under President Joe Biden, Washington largely kept Erdoğan at arm’s length due to democratic backsliding and repression of journalists, activists, and opposition politicians.
Trump, however, sees Erdoğan as both a critical partner and intermediary, especially regarding conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Shifts on Ukraine and Syria
Trump has recently shifted his rhetoric on Ukraine, saying Kyiv could win back all lost territory—a break from his earlier calls for concessions to Russia. He views Erdoğan as a respected figure by both Putin and Zelenskyy, positioning him as a potential peace broker.
On Syria, Trump aligned with Turkey’s approach, praising Erdoğan for backing forces that ousted Bashar al-Assad and later embracing Ahmad al-Sharaa as Syria’s new leader. Trump credited Erdoğan for “the successful fight in ridding Syria of its past leader.”
Erdoğan’s Push for F-35s
Erdoğan made clear his priority was to restore access to U.S. fighter jets, calling the suspension unfair: “I don’t think it’s very becoming of strategic partnership and I don’t think it’s the right way to go.” His Washington visit—his first since 2019—was aimed at securing movement on the issue while reaffirming Turkey’s role as a central, if complicated, U.S. ally.
