Trump and Turkey’s Erdogan Discuss F-35s, Russian Oil/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ morning Edition/ President Donald Trump welcomed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the White House, signaling possible progress toward reinstating Turkey in the F-35 fighter jet program. Trump also suggested Erdogan could play a key role in mediating the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The talks highlight both opportunities and tensions in U.S.-Turkey relations, from defense cooperation to Gaza diplomacy.
Trump-Erdogan White House Meeting Quick Looks
- Oval Office Talks: Trump says both sides “need certain things.”
- F-35 Program: U.S. weighing whether to lift ban on jet sales.
- Turkey’s Stake: Ankara already paid $1.4B toward the fighters.
- Past Ban: Expelled over Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 system.
- Ukraine Role: Trump says Erdogan respected by Putin and Zelenskyy.
- Human Rights Issues: Erdogan accused of curbing freedoms, stifling dissent.
- Regional Clout: Turkey influential in Syria, Black Sea, and Gaza diplomacy.
- Israel Tensions: Erdogan denounces Israel’s Gaza war as “genocide.”
- Biden Contrast: Prior administration kept Erdogan at a distance.
- Future Outlook: Meeting could reshape U.S.-Turkey defense ties and regional strategy.
Deep Look: Trump and Erdogan Meet at White House Amid Fighter Jet Dispute and Regional Tensions
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump hosted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on Thursday, hinting that the long-standing dispute over Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program may be resolved.
Speaking in the Oval Office at the start of their meeting, Trump suggested both leaders were ready to negotiate terms.
“He needs certain things, and we need certain things, and we’re going to come to a conclusion,” Trump said. “You’ll know by the end of the day.”
Turkey’s F-35 Ambitions
The U.S. barred Turkey from the F-35 program during Trump’s first term after Ankara purchased Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, which U.S. officials feared could expose the jet’s stealth technology to Moscow.
Erdogan has consistently criticized the ban, calling it inconsistent with NATO partnership. In a Fox News interview earlier this week, he argued:
“I don’t think it’s very becoming of strategic partnership, and I don’t think it’s the right way to go.”
Turkish officials stress that the country has already made a $1.4 billion payment toward the aircraft.
Trump’s Take: Erdogan as a Mediator
Beyond fighter jets, Trump highlighted Erdogan’s geopolitical influence, especially in Eastern Europe.
“The best thing he could do is not buy oil and gas from Russia,” Trump said.
He added that Erdogan is respected by both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, suggesting the Turkish leader could play a “big influence” in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
A Complicated Relationship
U.S.-Turkey ties have often been fraught. Washington has expressed concerns about Turkey’s human rights record, its close ties to Moscow, and its disputes with Israel.
During President Joe Biden’s administration, U.S. engagement with Erdogan was limited, reflecting criticism of Turkey’s democratic backsliding. Rights groups and international observers have long accused Erdogan of stifling free expression and targeting activists, journalists, and opposition leaders with politically motivated prosecutions.
Trump, however, has leaned into the relationship, calling Erdogan a “very good” partner during his first term and now viewing him as a critical intermediary in both the Gaza and Ukraine wars.
Regional Realignments: Syria and Beyond
Trump’s White House has aligned closely with Ankara on Syria, particularly since the fall of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad last December. Both the U.S. and European allies have followed Erdogan in recognizing Ahmad al-Sharaa — once the leader of a group labeled a terrorist organization — as Syria’s new president.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met al-Sharaa this week on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, further reflecting Washington’s pivot in line with Turkey.
Erdogan also seeks to leverage Turkey’s unique position as a broker in the Black Sea, maintaining ties with both Moscow and Kyiv, while pushing to assert Turkey as a stabilizing power in the Middle East.
Tensions With Israel
Turkey’s growing influence has also put it on a collision course with Israel, particularly after the fall of Assad shifted regional dynamics. Trump has publicly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be “reasonable” in his dealings with Ankara.
At the U.N. this week, Erdogan sharply denounced Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which followed Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 65,000 Palestinians killed and widespread destruction of homes since then.
“This is not a fight against terrorism,” Erdogan told world leaders. “This is an occupation, deportation, exile, genocide and life destruction.”
Both Israel and the United States rejected Erdogan’s allegations.
Looking Ahead
Thursday’s meeting, capped by a private lunch, reflects the delicate balance Trump is seeking: maintaining NATO unity while accommodating Turkey’s demands, and using Erdogan’s clout to advance U.S. diplomatic priorities.
A breakthrough on the F-35 dispute could not only reset U.S.-Turkey defense cooperation but also reinforce Erdogan’s emerging role as a global power broker at a moment of geopolitical upheaval.
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