Trump Signals F-35 Sale and Sanctions Relief to Turkey at NATO Summit

On 8 July 2026 President Trump stated he would remove sanctions imposed after Turkey's 2019 S-400 purchase from Russia and signaled readiness to resume F-35 deliveries, reversing the 2020 exclusion from the program. Turkish officials confirmed sanctions were already unenforced in practice, with direct presidential access resolving issues within 24 hours. Primary records show the original sanctions targeted Turkish defense entities under CAATSA Section 231 for the Russian system acquisition.

The move prioritizes bilateral commercial and personal ties over alliance cohesion. Turkey regains potential stealth fighter access and production participation while the United States secures export revenue and short-term leverage. Costs include renewed friction with Congress, which retains statutory review authority, and with Israel and Greece, whose documented positions cite erosion of air superiority balances and Aegean security.

Context from 2020-2025 records shows repeated US-Turkish disputes over the S-400, NATO interoperability, and Eastern Mediterranean drilling. The current shift diverges from prior bipartisan congressional pressure to condition arms transfers on Russian system divestment. European NATO members face implicit pressure to accommodate Turkish procurement preferences without reciprocal concessions.

Next steps hinge on congressional notification and State Department licensing. Delivery timelines remain contingent on Turkish actions regarding existing S-400 batteries and any new Russian acquisitions.