Ankara, Turkey– During the first day of a NATO summit in Ankara on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said he would consider allowing Turkey to buy US F-35 fighter jets — despite having Russian-made air defense systems, which his first administration imposed sanctions on the country six years ago.
“It is a decision we will make,” Trump said during his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Erdogan’s presidential complex.
“We have a better relationship with Türkiye, and Türkiye has been, in many respects, much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal,” Trump said. “So, it’s definitely something we’ll take into consideration. It’s a great airplane, it’s the best, it’s the best airplane out there right now, and it’s definitely something we’ll take into consideration.”
President Donald Trump walks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, as he arrives for the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Türkiye is seeking to join the American F-35 aircraft program, but American law prohibits it from doing so as long as it possesses Russian-made air defenses.
In a 2020 statement, Trump’s former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said such systems “would jeopardize the security of US military technology and personnel and provide significant funds to the Russian defense sector, as well as Russia’s access to the Turkish Armed Forces and defense industry.”
Vice President J.D. Vance, during an Oval Office meeting with Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte last week, said Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Defense Department were reviewing Turkey’s purchase of U.S. F-35 fighter jets, and during that meeting Trump raised a “gift” to Turkey, suggesting a sale.
Trump later said the United States had an “obligation” to maintain aircraft engines purchased by Turkey because, he said, Turkey was “more beneficial” to Iran than other NATO countries.
Trump again criticized other NATO allies for their reluctance to join US military operations to reopen and patrol the vital Strait of Hormuz.
“I am very disappointed in NATO,” Trump said. “And frankly, if it had not been held in Türkiye, where my friend was a very strong leader, a very strong person, I probably would not have attended.”
Trump again questioned the alliance when he singled out countries he said had refused to help the United States regarding Iran, saying it was “testing people.”
The president said: “Italy rejected us, Germany rejected us, and France rejected us. That’s fine, but why do we spend hundreds of billions of dollars when they are not there for us? We have always been there for them.”
“They’ve been exceptional in many ways regarding our relationship, including trying to end the war with Iran, or whatever you call it,” Trump said. “It’s not even a war. It’s a military operation. It’s denuclearization. That’s really the case with Iran, because I don’t think he wants to see them have a nuclear weapon either. I’m sure of that. In fact, I’m pretty sure of that.”
Trump He noted that he had no problem with the fact that Türkiye was also using Russian air defense systems, telling reporters: “I have absolutely no concerns about anything.”
Trump told reporters that his administration was working to lift sanctions on Türkiye, saying, “It’s time.” The first Trump administration imposed sanctions on Türkiye in 2020 for its acquisition of Russian defense systems.
“I can tell “We will lift the sanctions against you.” Trump said in response to a Turkish question that appeared to be directed to Erdogan. “I don’t want him to waste his time answering that question.”
Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Hegseth are working on it.
“We’ll lift the sanctions. It’s time to do it, okay?” He said.
Copyright © 2026 ABC News Internet Ventures.