**Trump Expected to Support Turkey's Reentry into F-35 Program Ahead of NATO Summit**
In a significant diplomatic development, President Donald Trump is anticipated to announce his willingness to permit Turkey's return to the F-35 stealth fighter program during an upcoming meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This information was reported by the New York Times on Monday, citing four senior officials from the Trump administration. The meeting is scheduled to take place in Ankara as part of a NATO summit that begins on Tuesday evening.
The potential re-engagement with Turkey regarding the F-35 program comes after a period of strained relations between the United States and Turkey, particularly following Turkey's acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system in 2019. This acquisition led to significant tensions, prompting the U.S. to impose sanctions on Turkey and remove it from the F-35 program. Additionally, U.S. Congress passed legislation that prohibits the sale of F-35s to Turkey as long as it retains the S-400 system, citing security concerns related to the compatibility of Russian technology with U.S. military assets.
According to the New York Times, while the officials provided insight into Trump's intentions, they varied in their accounts of how the administration might navigate existing congressional and legal restrictions. One possibility discussed was the exchange of letters between Trump and Erdogan to facilitate Turkey's reentry into the program.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding this report, leaving some aspects of the potential agreement unclear. However, the prospect of improved relations between the U.S. and Turkey has been underscored by recent developments, including the Trump administration's notification to Congress about plans to sell jet engines worth over $700 million to Turkey last month.
This evolving situation highlights the complexities of U.S.-Turkey relations, which have seen fluctuations under Trump's leadership. While there have been efforts to mend ties, the underlying issues related to Turkey's defense acquisitions and their implications for NATO and U.S. security interests remain critical points of discussion.
As the NATO summit approaches, the focus will be on how these discussions unfold and whether Trump's expected support for Turkey's reintegration into the F-35 program will materialize into concrete actions. The outcome of this meeting could have significant implications for both nations and their roles within the NATO alliance.