Trump, during his visit to Ankara for the NATO Summit, is expected to endorse the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey and restore the country's participation in the multinational program, according to reports. This move would represent one of the most significant gestures from Trump toward President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, whom he regularly praises as a close ally. The two countries have experienced warmer relations since Trump returned to office last year.

Turkey was removed from the F-35 program and faced sanctions in 2020 following its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system. Turkey was also a production partner in the program. Washington claimed the system would endanger the jets and is incompatible with NATO systems, but Ankara has consistently maintained that no conflict exists between the two and proposed establishing a commission to study the matter. Turkey asserts it fulfilled its obligations regarding the F-35s and that its suspension violated program rules.

Ankara maintains that the jets would strengthen not only Turkey but also NATO as a whole. The New York Times and Reuters have reported that Trump is expected to support the potential sale. According to the NYT, citing four senior administration officials, the decision would come after weeks of behind-the-scenes efforts by national security officials to break the stalemate. Officials indicated they expect Trump to at least signal his intention to move forward with providing F-35s to Turkey, though the timing remains unclear.

Details regarding how the administration would address congressional and legal restrictions have not yet been clarified. Reports indicate that Trump's plans could face opposition in Congress, which has previously restricted F-35 sales to Turkey unless the administration determines that Ankara no longer possesses the S-400. When asked by reporters last month whether he would have any "gifts" for Turkey, Trump responded: "I'm going to probably do something that will make them very happy." Vice President JD Vance stated that a review is underway to determine whether Turkey has complied with U.S. laws to receive the F-35 fighter jets.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated last week that Erdoğan and Trump share a "strong political will" to remove U.S. sanctions imposed on Turkey, though they declined to provide a timeline. In December, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack noted that the warm relations between the two leaders enabled "the most fruitful conversations we have had on this topic in nearly a decade." The announcement comes weeks after the Trump administration formally notified Congress of its intention to sell multiple jet engines worth more than $700 million for Turkey's indigenous combat jet, the Kaan.