Trump Lifts Sanctions on Turkey, Considers F-35 Sales at NATO Summit
Trump announced that Washington would lift U.S. sanctions on Turkey imposed in 2020 over Ankara's purchase of Russian defense missiles, while expressing a willingness to sell the fellow NATO ally F-35 fighter jets.
Objective Facts
Trump announced that Washington would lift U.S. sanctions on Turkey that were imposed in 2020 over Ankara's purchase of Russian defense missiles, while expressing a willingness to sell the fellow NATO ally F-35 fighter jets. Trump said during a bilateral meeting at Erdogan's presidential compound, 'It's a decision we're going to make.' Turkey was barred from the F-35 fighter jet program in 2019 after it purchased Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems. Congress further codified Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 program in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which prohibits transfer of the fifth-generation fighter jets unless the administration can certify that Ankara 'no longer possesses' the S-400 system, materials or anything associated with its functions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has increasingly pressured the US not to resume F-35 sales to Turkiye, saying the sale would 'upset the power balance in the Middle East, which is ultimately guaranteed by Israeli air superiority.'
Left-Leaning Perspective
Left-leaning outlets emphasized Congressional restrictions and national security concerns as major impediments. Rep. Brad Sherman said on The Hill, 'I think the statute is pretty clear that as long as Turkey holds on to its S-400s, they declare that they're going to do that, it is illegal to sell' the fighter planes. Sherman also noted he would still be inclined to oppose the sale 'as long as Turkey continues to occupy Northern Cyprus and maintains close ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.' The Washington Post and NPR-affiliated outlets reported on the pushback from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers without taking a position but noted legal barriers Trump faces.
Right-Leaning Perspective
The Wall Street Journal's conservative editorial board warned the potential sale of the F-35s would give Russia and China a 'window' into U.S. technology, writing that 'Allowing the two systems to work together would amount to letting Vladimir Putin conduct target practice on the free world's pilots.' However, some conservatives differentiated between Trump's authority over sanctions versus Congressional restrictions on F-35 sales. Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch supporter of Israel, said he was open to the prospect of lifting sanctions. The right-leaning Wall Street Journal expressed concern primarily from a national security angle rather than personal criticism of Trump.
Deep Dive
Trump's announcement to lift Turkey sanctions and consider F-35 sales marks a dramatic reversal of his first-term policy, which imposed both restrictions in response to Turkey's 2019 purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems. The decision reflects Trump's stated belief that Turkey has been more loyal to U.S. strategic interests—particularly in Middle Eastern operations and NATO support—than traditional allies who refused to join recent Iran operations. However, the path forward is far more constrained than Trump's rhetoric suggests. Congress passed two distinct legal barriers: the 2017 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) imposed sanctions on Turkey's defense sector after the S-400 purchase, while the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act explicitly prohibited F-35 transfers unless the president certifies Turkey no longer possesses the Russian system. Trump has clear authority to waive CAATSA sanctions through executive action, but the NDAA restriction is codified law that requires Congressional approval to override or a successful legal argument that it doesn't apply. A bipartisan Congressional coalition—six Republicans and four Democrats—has already expressed opposition, creating a second layer of resistance beyond the statutory requirement. The security concern at the heart of the debate is genuine: defense officials warned that the S-400's radar and electronic warfare capabilities could theoretically provide Russia with information about the F-35's stealth characteristics if the systems operated in proximity. Some proposals have surfaced to render the S-400 inoperative or transfer it to a third country, but neither has been finalized. Trump dismissed these concerns entirely in his Ankara remarks, suggesting either confidence in a behind-the-scenes solution or dismissal of the technical arguments. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's opposition adds diplomatic complexity; Netanyahu framed the sale as destabilizing to the Middle Eastern power balance and Israel's qualitative military edge. His criticism marks a visible crack in Trump's relationship with Netanyahu, who has struggled with Trump on other issues during the Iran conflict. Yet Trump appears willing to absorb this friction, signaling that Turkey's demonstrated willingness to support U.S. regional operations now counts more heavily than maintaining Israel's exclusive advanced-fighter-jet advantage in the region. What remains unresolved: Whether Trump can negotiate a solution with Erdogan on the S-400 that satisfies Congress, how Democratic and Republican lawmakers will use their procedural tools (holds on arms sales, for example), and whether Trump will pursue legislation to override the NDAA restriction if a simple waiver strategy fails. The administration has already green-lighted sale of F110 jet engines to Turkey—technically feasible under current law—and concluded a major lawsuit against Turkish bank Halkbank for sanctions violations with minimal penalty, suggesting Trump is willing to systematically dismantle constraints on Turkey relationships. But the F-35 issue sits at a different level of strategic sensitivity given the jet's advanced technology and NATO partnerships.
Regional Perspective
Trump's visit to Turkey was the first by a U.S. president in 11 years, and he was welcomed by Erdogan with a lavish state ceremony with soldiers on horseback and both leaders sang each other's praises in their public remarks. For Turkey, the announcement represents a major diplomatic and strategic victory. Erdogan told reporters he hoped for a 'favourable decision' on the F-35s, adding that Turkiye had previously been promised five jets. Turkish media and officials have framed the sanctions lift and F-35 consideration as long-overdue recognition of Turkey's strategic value, particularly because Trump said the U.S. had an 'obligation' to maintain the engines of planes Turkey has bought because Turkey, he said, has been 'more helpful' on Iran than other NATO countries. Turkish officials have publicly expressed confidence that both initiatives will move forward, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan telling CNN Turk that both administrations have the political will to lift CAATSA sanctions. For Israel, the announcement signals a worrying reordering of Trump's regional priorities. Netanyahu called Turkey 'a regime infected by the Muslim Brotherhood, an extreme movement that hates America and chants 'Death to America,' declaring 'I don't think they should be given F-35s or engines for their fighter jets.' Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has also joined the rhetorical campaign, accusing his Turkish counterpart of incitement to genocide after he called Israel a 'burden that humanity can no longer bear.' Israeli media frames the development as a loss of Israeli leverage and a potential shift in the regional balance that could embolden Turkey in its geopolitical ambitions. Despite Erdogan's 'dismantling of Turkish democracy, extreme anti-Israel rhetoric, and support for a terrorist group,' Israel is 'unlikely to succeed in driving a wedge between Washington and Ankara,' as 'Turkey is consolidating its position in the region and beyond, while Israel is trending in the opposite direction.' The regional coverage underscores a fundamental divergence: Turkey sees the moves as validation of its importance and alignment with U.S. interests, while Israel views them as evidence that Trump now prioritizes Turkey's strategic cooperation over Israeli security preferences.