US President Donald Trump stated that a decision on the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey will be made during the NATO summit in Ankara, at a press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday.
Trump also said that sanctions against Turkey, which were imposed in retaliation for Ankara’s purchase of Russian military equipment, would be lifted.
Erdogan claimed at the conference that he had been promised five of the jets and said he and Trump would discuss KAAN jet engines. He added that he hoped the promise would lead to positive developments throughout the leaders’ summit.
He also stated that he will talk to Trump about the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war during meetings on the sidelines of the summit.
Regarding the Ukraine-Russia war, Trump told reporters present in Ankara that he thinks “they both want to make a deal” and hopes it is settled soon.
.@POTUS touches down in Ankara, Turkey, where he is greeted by President Erdogan ahead of the NATO Summit 🇺🇸🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/4cVo69eJLJ
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 7, 2026
Trump landed in Ankara earlier on Tuesday and was greeted by Erdogan.
Trump to support Turkey’s bid for F-35s
The meeting comes amid reports by Reuters and The New York Times saying that Trump will back Turkey’s bid to return to the F-35 program.
According to two sources from Reuters and another one from The NYT, Trump will support a potential sale of the US’ most advanced fighter jet.
On Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly opposed the sale during an interview with Fox and Friends, saying that the US must not give such a weapon to “a regime infected by the Muslim Brotherhood.”
“Turkey is a great country, but it’s governed by a man who calls openly for the annihilation of Israel,” Netanyahu said in reference to Erdogan.
Reuters contributed to this report.
