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US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he would lift sanctions on Turkiye and consider resuming sales of F-35 fighter jets, during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. The announcement marks a potential shift in US policy towards Turkiye, a NATO ally that was removed from the F-35 program after acquiring Russian S-400 air defence systems.

Trump, speaking alongside Erdogan, said the US would be "taking the sanctions off" Turkiye, adding, "It's time. We don't want to sanction friends." He said his secretary of state and treasury secretary were working on the issue.

Coverage Comparison

The announcement was covered by multiple outlets, each emphasizing different aspects. Al Jazeera framed the move as a "pivot in US policy towards Turkiye," noting the decision came despite opposition from Israel. France 24 highlighted the warming relations between Washington and Ankara, describing Trump's visit as the first by a US president to Turkiye in 11 years. The Jerusalem Post focused on Trump's support for Turkiye's bid to return to the F-35 program, with an emphasis on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's opposition.

All three outlets agreed on the core facts: Trump pledged to lift sanctions and indicated he would consider F-35 sales. They also noted that Turkiye's acquisition of Russian S-400 systems led to its removal from the F-35 program and the imposition of US sanctions.

Key Claims

  • Trump announced plans to lift sanctions on Turkiye and said he would soon decide on resuming sales of F-35 fighter jets, as reported by Al Jazeera and France 24.
  • Turkiye was removed from the F-35 program after acquiring Russian S-400 air defence systems in 2019, according to all three outlets.
  • The sanctions were imposed under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), specifically targeting Turkiye's Presidency of Defence Industries, as reported by Al Jazeera. The sanctions included US export license bans and financial and banking restrictions.
  • Trump became the first US president to visit Turkiye in 11 years, according to France 24.
  • Congress passed a law prohibiting F-35 sales to Turkiye as long as it retains S-400 systems, as reported by France 24. Al Jazeera similarly noted that any move to return Turkiye to the F-35 program would need to overcome a 2020 law requiring a presidential administration to determine Ankara no longer possesses or operates the Russian systems.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the sale of F-35s to Turkiye, as reported by all three outlets. Netanyahu said the sale would "destroy" the power balance in the Middle East, calling Turkiye's aspirations "aggressive."

Perspectives

US Administration: President Trump framed the move as a gesture of friendship, saying, "We don't want to sanction friends." He praised Turkiye's loyalty and described the F-35 as "the best plane by far," suggesting it was "certainly something we will consider."

Turkish Government: President Erdogan expressed hope for a "favourable decision" on the F-35s, noting that Turkiye had previously been promised five jets.

Israeli Government: Prime Minister Netanyahu opposed the sale, telling CNN that it "would destroy the power balance in the Middle East, because Turkey, I think, has aggressive aspirations." In a separate interview with Fox News, Netanyahu said the US must not give such a weapon to "a regime infected by the Muslim Brotherhood," and referred to Erdogan as "a man who calls openly for the annihilation of Israel."