Trump Expected to Restore Turkey's Access to F-35 Jets
President Trump is expected to tell Turkish President Erdogan he wants to reverse the 2019 ban on Turkey's access to F-35 fighter jets, contingent on resolving the S-400 air defense issue. Options include transferring or deactivating the Russian-made systems, though Congress may block the move.
President Donald Trump is expected to signal to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara that he intends to restore Turkey's access to the F-35 fighter jet program, reversing the ban imposed in 2019. No final decision has been announced, and any reversal would require overcoming U.S. legal and congressional restrictions.
The key condition for reinstatement is ensuring Turkey no longer possesses or operates its Russian-made S-400 air defense systems. Options under discussion include transferring the S-400s to a third party or rendering them inoperable. Trump's overture is seen as a diplomatic gesture, but congressional approval remains uncertain.
Source: First Squawk