US Lifts Turkey Sanctions as Trump Praises Erdogan at NATO Summit, Trump says

Trump & Turkey – (Web Desk) – The US lifts Turkey sanctions that were placed back in 2020, President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday. The sanctions had been imposed after Turkey bought a Russian missile defense system, a move that had strained ties between the two NATO allies for years.

Trump made the announcement just before sitting down with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during a NATO summit visit to Turkey. He said his top officials, including the secretary of state and Treasury secretary, were already working on the details.

The move is seen as a big gesture from Trump toward Erdogan, whom he views as a close friend. It also clears away a problem that had been sitting between Washington and Ankara for a long time.

Back in 2019, Turkey bought the Russian S-400 missile system. The US responded by placing sanctions on a major Turkish defense firm and kicking Turkey out of the F-35 fighter jet program. Turkey had been a production partner in that program before losing its spot.

Trump also sounded hopeful about selling F-35 jets to Turkey, though he did not explain how the legal roadblocks would be handled. He called the F-35 the best plane out there and said Turkey has shown more loyalty than many other countries.

US law currently blocks any F-35 sale to Turkey as long as it keeps the Russian S-400 system. One idea being discussed is moving the Russian system to a third country, though nothing has been finalized. It also remains unclear if Russia would agree to such a deal.

This marks the first visit by a US president to Turkey in eleven years. Erdogan welcomed Trump with a grand state ceremony, and both leaders spoke warmly about each other during their public remarks.