Trump considers F-35 sale to Turkey amid NATO summit

US President Donald Trump has signaled a willingness to lift sanctions on Turkey and consider selling F-35 fighter jets, a move that would reverse a 2019 ban imposed after Turkey purchased Russian S-400 missile systems. At the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a 'strong leader' and said Turkey has been 'much more loyal' than other allies Source: CNN. Erdogan stated he expects to receive five F-35s as promised by Trump Source: elespanol.

Opposition from Israel and Greece

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly opposes the sale, warning it would 'destroy the balance of power in the Middle East' and calling Erdogan's regime 'infected with the Muslim Brotherhood' Source: CNN. Netanyahu raised the issue in a phone call with Trump, also condemning Erdogan's statements against Israel's existence Source: infobae. Greece has also expressed concern, arguing that advanced weapons should not be used against NATO allies and highlighting the unresolved casus belli threat from Turkey Source: euronewses.

Legal hurdles and the S-400 issue

US law prohibits F-35 sales to Turkey as long as it operates the Russian S-400 system, deemed a security risk. Possible solutions include transferring the S-400 to a third country like Ukraine Source: elespanol, but Russia has reportedly rejected a request for return Source: elmundoes. The Trump administration must also navigate congressional opposition and the CAATSA sanctions framework .