Trump says Turkey sanctions could end 'very soon' at White House meeting with Erdogan
During the meeting, Trump suggested the dispute over Turkey’s F-35 fighter jets could be resolved quickly as sanctions discussions continue.
President Donald Trump said that congressional sanctions on Turkey could be lifted “very soon” during a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on Thursday.
“It could be very soon — if we have a good meeting, almost immediately,” Trump told reporters ahead of talks with the Turkish leader, during which Turkey’s re-entry into the F-35 stealth fighter jet program is expected to figure prominently.
Turkey was kicked out of the program in response to its acquisition of Russia's S-400 anti-missile systems and slapped with congressional sanctions in 2020 under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. Trump said the two leaders would also be discussing the potential sale of the US equivalent, the Patriot system. Turkey claims it was forced to buy the S-400s because the United States had refused to sell it Patriots.
“I think he will be successful with buying the things he’d like to buy,” Trump noted. “I know he wants the F-35 … and we are talking about that very seriously, and the F-16, we’re in great shape. And we are going to come to a conclusion and you’ll know by the end of the day,” Trump added. Trump also mentioned “a big announcement” without elaborating.
