Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the US promised five F-35 fighter jets, while President Donald Trump said the US has a commitment on spare parts for Turkey, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency. Trump also called Turkey a 'wonderful ally.'
President Donald Trump said the United States has a commitment to provide spare parts for Turkey's F-35 fighter jets, and called Turkey a 'wonderful ally,' during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency. Erdogan reiterated that the US promised five F-35s.
The remarks follow a series of signals from Trump in recent days. Earlier Tuesday, Erdogan claimed the US promised five F-35s, and Trump said he had no concerns about the sale, as The Zioneer reported at 16:28 Jerusalem. Trump also said the US would consider selling F-35s to Turkey (The Zioneer, 16:31). The New York Times reported early Tuesday that Trump was expected to signal readiness to return Turkey to the F-35 program.
The F-35 program was suspended for Turkey after Ankara purchased Russian S-400 air defense systems, triggering US sanctions under CAATSA. Trump has indicated a willingness to reverse the policy, but congressional approval remains a hurdle. The Zioneer previously reported that Trump's reported pledge should be met with skepticism (09:25), and an analysis noted that Erdogan's window for a deal is limited to the current administration.
4 developments
- StrongAnalysis: Trump's renewed push for F-35 sale to Turkey threatens Israel's air supremacy in the Mediterranean
- StrongTrump says he will likely approve F-35 and engine sale to Turkey
- DevelopingVance says US may sell F-35s to Turkey, needs legal review
- DevelopingMark Levin blasts Trump over reported F-35 sale to Turkey
Source and signal
- Internal intake