President Donald Trump has opened the door to selling Turkey the prized F-35 stealth fighter jet, praising Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and promising to remove sanctions imposed over Ankara’s purchase of a Russian missile defense system. However, a State Department letter to Congress makes clear that Turkey has not taken the steps legally required to receive the advanced aircraft. «Turkey has not yet met these conditions,» the department said in a July 22 letter first obtained by the Greek newspaper Kathimerini.
U.S. law prohibits the transfer of F-35 aircraft to Turkey until Ankara no longer possesses the Russian-made S-400 system or associated equipment, promises not to acquire it again, and satisfies the remaining certification requirements established by Congress. Turkey was removed from the F-35 development program in 2019 after purchasing the S-400 from Russia, and the United States imposed sanctions the following year under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. U.S. officials have argued that operating the Russian system alongside the F-35 could allow Moscow to collect sensitive information about the stealth aircraft.
The State Department’s position stands in contrast to Trump’s recent public stance. At the NATO summit in Ankara weeks earlier, Trump stood alongside Erdoğan and said his administration would lift sanctions and consider selling the aircraft. Asked about Turkey’s continued possession of the S-400, Trump said, «I have no concerns about anything having to do with Turkey.» Trump described relations with Ankara as «better probably than it’s ever been,» said Turkey had been «much more loyal» than some other countries, and called a potential F-35 sale «certainly something we will consider.» Erdoğan expressed confidence in Trump, stating, «I know that Mr. Trump always keeps his promises.»
The dispute matters far beyond a single weapons sale. Turkey is a pivotal NATO ally controlling access between Europe and the Middle East, but its ties to Russia and Hamas have fueled doubts in Washington about whether Ankara can be trusted with America’s most sensitive military technology. The outcome will test whether Trump’s personal relationship with Erdoğan can bring Turkey back into the Western defense fold — or whether Congress and national security concerns will block the deal. A State Department spokesperson said on background that Trump «recognizes the strategic importance of Türkiye» and that his administration is encouraging Ankara «to resolve pending issues,» adding that «Türkiye is a valued NATO ally.»
James Jeffrey, a former U.S. ambassador to Turkey and former special representative for Syria engagement, said Trump’s position reflects both his trust in Erdoğan and their cooperation on regional security issues. «Trump is very much for this as he works well with Erdoğan and trusts him and has succeeded together on a host of security issues from Libya to Syria to Caucasus to Ukraine and PKK ceasefire with Ankara,» Jeffrey told Fox News Digital. «He knows how important this is to Erdoğan and all Turks and doesn’t want Ankara to turn to Russia or China for weapons.» Jeffrey said Turkey would have to genuinely relinquish the S-400 but noted that the law does not specify exactly how. «Certainly transferring to another country would meet the legal and technical requirement,» he said.
Sinan Ciddi, director of the Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, agreed that a third-country transfer could begin the process of restoring Turkey to the program. But he said Ankara would also have to provide guarantees that it would not again seek major Russian military equipment or maintain ties that could compromise the aircraft. Reports have suggested the United Arab Emirates as a possible destination for the S-400, but Ciddi noted there is no confirmation Abu Dhabi would accept it, and Russia could object to the transfer. Ciddi argued that resolving the S-400 dispute should not automatically clear the way for a sale. «The S-400 issue that led to Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program is the floor, not the ceiling,» he said, pointing to Ankara’s relationship with Hamas, continued ties with Russia, use of Chinese telecommunications technology, and tensions with U.S. partners including Greece, Cyprus and Israel as additional obstacles.
The State Department letter reflected the administration’s competing views of Ankara. While reiterating that Turkey remains legally ineligible for the F-35, the department credited it with supporting U.S. diplomatic efforts involving Russia and Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Armenia, Gaza, and counter-ISIS operations. The letter said Turkey used its relationship with Hamas’ political leadership to help secure acceptance of Trump’s Gaza peace plan and advance the first phase of a ceasefire. As the debate unfolds, the F-35 sale remains a test of whether personal diplomacy can overcome legislative and security hurdles — or whether Turkey’s strategic value will ultimately outweigh the risks.
