Lead

US President Donald Trump is expected to tell Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he is prepared to allow Turkey to rejoin the F-35 stealth fighter program, according to reports citing senior administration officials and sources familiar with the matter. The expected development comes as Trump travels to Ankara for a NATO summit, where he is scheduled to meet Erdogan.

Coverage Comparison

The Jerusalem Post, citing a New York Times report, said Trump is expected to make the announcement, referencing four senior administration officials. The Hindu, citing two sources familiar with the matter, reported that Trump is expected to throw his support behind the potential F-35 sale during the Ankara visit. Both outlets noted that legal and congressional hurdles remain unresolved.

Key Claims

Trump's Expected Announcement

According to the Jerusalem Post, Trump is expected to tell Erdogan that he is prepared to allow Turkey to rejoin the F-35 program. The report, citing senior administration officials, indicated that officials differed on the details of how Trump would seek to work around congressional and legal restrictions, but suggested there could be an exchange of letters on the subject between the two leaders.

The Hindu's sources, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said the move would be the biggest gesture yet from Trump to Erdogan, whom he regularly praises and sees as a close ally. The two countries have enjoyed warmer ties since Trump returned to office last year.

Background: The S-400 Dispute

Turkey's 2019 acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system has soured ties with the United States. In response, Washington imposed sanctions on a major Turkish defense company in 2020 and removed Turkey from the F-35 program, where Ankara was also a production partner. Congress also passed a law prohibiting any F-35 sales to Turkey as long as Ankara retained the S-400s, saying the Russian system poses a security risk to US-made combat aircraft.

The Hindu noted that US law currently does not permit Turkey to operate or possess the S-400 system if it wishes to rejoin the F-35 program.

Possible Solutions

One solution that has gained traction in recent weeks is to send the Russian S-400 system to a third country, although an agreement on this has yet to be sealed, according to The Hindu's sources. It was unclear if such a move would be accepted by Russia, which requires end-user obligations in weapons sales.

Recent US-Turkey Military Cooperation

In a sign of improving ties, the Trump administration formally notified Congress of its intention to sell dozens of jet engines worth more than $700 million to Turkey last month, according to a copy of the formal notification seen by Reuters, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

Perspectives

Israeli Opposition

The Hindu reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed any US military sales to Turkey. This position highlights a regional dimension to the F-35 debate, as Israel has expressed concerns about advanced US weapons transfers to Ankara.

Turkish and US Official Responses

Neither the White House nor the Turkish Foreign Ministry immediately responded to requests for comment, according to both sources. The US Embassy in Ankara also did not immediately comment, as reported by The Hindu.