Trump Vows to Scrap Sanctions on Turkiye and Reconsider F-35 Sales, Despite Fierce Opposition From Netanyahu
When loyalty is up for negotiation.
Donald Trump dropped a bombshell at the NATO summit in Ankara. The President announced he’s lifting sanctions on Turkiye and will soon decide whether to resume F-35 fighter jet sales, a move that’s already sparking major pushback from Israel. Sitting next to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump told reporters, “We’re going to be taking the sanctions off,” and called the F-35 “the best plane by far,” hinting a decision is coming soon.
This pivot marks a sharp reversal after the U.S. kicked Turkiye out of the F-35 program in 2019 when Ankara bought Russian S-400 air defense systems. According to Al Jazeera, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has been lobbying hard against the sale, warning it would “upset the power balance in the Middle East.” His opposition isn’t just political posturing. Israel’s military edge in the region relies on maintaining air superiority, and F-35s in Turkish hands could shift that dynamic.
Relations between Turkiye and Israel have already been strained, especially after Turkiye became one of the loudest critics of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Despite the diplomatic friction, trade ties between the two countries have actually grown, making this a complicated balancing act for the U.S.
Trump’s announcement didn’t come out of nowhere
The U.S. had imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), targeting Turkiye’s Presidency of Defence Industries with export bans and financial restrictions. Lifting those sanctions would require navigating a legal hurdle – a 2020 law mandates the administration must certify that Turkiye no longer possesses or operates the Russian S-400 systems.
Erdogan, for his part, told reporters he’s hoping for a “favourable decision” on the F-35s, reminding everyone that Turkiye was originally promised five jets before the program expulsion. The reaction in Washington is already mixed. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Israel supporter, told Turkiye Today he’s open to the idea, saying, “There might be some pushback in Congress, but a solution might be found.”
That’s a surprising stance from someone who’s usually aligned with Netanyahu’s positions, and it suggests there might be room for negotiation. Still, this decision isn’t just about Turkiye. It’s about sending a message to NATO allies who’ve been on the receiving end of Trump’s frustration over defense spending.
The summit in Ankara has been anything but smooth
Trump didn’t hold back his criticism of the alliance, declaring he’s “very disappointed with NATO.” Al Jazeera reports that he called out European countries like Italy, Germany, and France for not stepping up during the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
“Why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars when they’re not there for us?” he asked, framing the U.S. as the alliance’s overburdened benefactor. His comments came after a news conference with Erdogan, where he praised the “chemistry” between the U.S. and Turkiye, contrasting it with what he sees as Europe’s lackluster support.
The tension over defense spending is a recurring theme at this summit. NATO members pledged last year to boost their defense budgets to 3.5% of GDP for core items like weapons and soldiers, plus another 1.5% for broader defense-related spending. But according to NATO’s own data, only five countries are projected to hit that 3.5% target by 2026.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called for “clear, concrete and credible plans” during a defense industry forum, pointing to threats from China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia. Rutte’s warning about Russia’s defense industry working “around the clock” to supply its war in Ukraine underscores the urgency, but so far, many allies are still dragging their feet.
Trump’s frustration with NATO is also about Greenland
He reignited a long-simmering dispute by telling reporters the autonomous Danish territory “should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark.” The comment drew immediate pushback from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who made it clear Greenland isn’t for sale. “It is a well-known position of the United States that it wants to own and take over Greenland. I hope that it is equally well-known everywhere that this is not going to happen,” she said.
Greenland’s Foreign Minister Mute Egede added that the territory’s future should be decided by its people, not foreign powers. The spat is a reminder of how Trump’s transactional approach to diplomacy can ruffle feathers, even among allies.
The war in Ukraine looms large over the summit
NATO is expected to pledge more military support for Kyiv, especially after a recent escalation of Russian attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who’s attending the summit, signed new defense agreements with Estonia, the Netherlands, and Denmark, focusing on joint production and technology sharing.
Norway announced a $306 million package for Ukraine’s air defenses, and other allies are expected to commit to long-term support through 2027. Trump, who spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the summit, said he hopes the war will be settled “soon,” adding, “I think they both want to make a deal.” That’s a notably optimistic take, especially given the stalled negotiations and Russia’s recent offensive pushes.
The F-35 decision is shaping up to be one of the most consequential moves of the summit. If Trump follows through, it could reshape Turkiye’s military capabilities and send ripples through NATO’s defense strategy. But it’s also a gamble – alienating Israel, a key ally, while rewarding Turkiye for its past dealings with Russia.
The legal and political hurdles are significant, but if there’s one thing this administration has shown, it’s that it’s not afraid to shake up the status quo. For now, all eyes are on whether Congress will push back or if Trump’s deal-making approach will prevail.
(Featured image: White House)
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