WASHINGTON — In a significant diplomatic engagement, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated the possibility of lifting sanctions on Turkey and allowing the country to purchase advanced American F-35 fighter jets, during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday. The discussions, held at the White House, marked Erdogan’s first visit to Washington in nearly six years and opened with a cordial atmosphere.
Seated side by side in the Oval Office, Trump described Erdogan as a “very tough man” and emphasized that despite differences, the two leaders maintained a friendly rapport. Trump contrasted this with the previous U.S. administration, led by Joe Biden, suggesting a warmer relationship under his own leadership.
Turkey aims to capitalize on this improved personal relationship to advance its national interests, especially in securing arms deals and expanding trade agreements. However, Trump made clear that a key condition for closer ties was Ankara’s commitment to halt its purchase of Russian oil. This demand comes as part of broader U.S. efforts to pressure Russia economically due to its ongoing military actions in Ukraine. Turkey, along with Hungary and Slovakia, is among the main European buyers of Russian oil, making its compliance significant in the West’s sanctions strategy.
“I’d like to have him stop buying any oil from Russia while Russia continues this rampage against Ukraine,” Trump stated, signaling a tough stance on Russian energy imports.
When asked about the potential sale of F-35 jets to Turkey, Trump expressed optimism, saying, “I think he’ll be successful in buying the things that he wants to buy.” He further hinted that sanctions currently imposed on Turkey could be lifted “very soon” and possibly “almost immediately” if the meeting produced favorable outcomes.
This approach represents a departure from the previous Biden administration’s policy, which maintained a cautious stance towards Turkey, partly due to Ankara’s perceived closeness with Russia. Under Trump’s leadership, who has often shown a more favorable attitude toward Moscow and developed a personal connection with Erdogan, Turkey is hopeful for a thaw in relations and expanded cooperation.
Despite this seemingly friendly tone, the relationship between Trump and Erdogan has historically been complex and marked by ups and downs, with critics in both countries describing the two leaders as increasingly autocratic. Their meeting on Thursday may pave the way for renewed cooperation, but significant policy differences, especially regarding Russia and regional security, remain key issues to watch.
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