ANKARA, Turkey — President Donald Trump stated Tuesday that his administration is contemplating permitting Turkey to buy F-35 fighter jets, highlighting the shut relationship between the US and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the 2 leaders met forward of the NATO summit.
Trump and Erdogan opened their bilateral assembly by praising each other earlier than turning to a non-public dialogue anticipated to give attention to commerce, navy cooperation and Iran. Seated alongside Trump had been U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of Warfare Pete Hegseth.
“We’re nice buddies,” Trump stated of Erdogan, including that the 2 leaders have had “good chemistry” and “a really particular relationship” since they first met. He additionally praised Turkey’s navy and stated he has “loads of respect” for Erdogan.
Trump stated the leaders would focus on commerce, navy points and Iran throughout their assembly.
Requested whether or not the US would promote F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, Trump stated the administration had not reached a last determination however was actively contemplating it.
“It’s a call we’re going to make. We’ve an excellent relationship,” Trump stated. “Turkey has been, in some ways, rather more loyal than different international locations that we expect can be loyal — so, yeah, it’s one thing actually we’d contemplate.”
.@POTUS on the potential for promoting F-35s to Turkey: “It is a determination we’re going to make… Turkey has been, in some ways, rather more loyal than different international locations that we expect can be loyal — so, yeah, it is one thing actually we’d contemplate.” pic.twitter.com/TqAUwkTpV5
— Speedy Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 7, 2026
Trump’s feedback got here as Turkey has sought to reenter the F-35 program after being eliminated following its buy of a Russian-made missile protection system.
Erdogan stated Turkey had beforehand mentioned the difficulty with the US and expressed hope the matter would transfer ahead.
“President Trump has at all times been a person of his phrase,” Erdogan stated.
The president additionally criticized a number of NATO allies for declining to help the US throughout its navy operation towards Iran, saying the responses left him disillusioned.
“We didn’t want any assist in any respect,” Trump stated. “Italy turned us down, and Germany turned us down, and France turned us down. And that’s okay, however why are we spending a whole lot of billions of {dollars} and so they’re not there for us? We’ve at all times been there for them.”
.@POTUS: “We’ve invested trillions of {dollars} in NATO. Why? To guard European international locations and others… You’ll suppose that they’d be very prepared to do one thing to assist us, and so they actually weren’t… I’ve lengthy stated that we assist them, however I am undecided that they’d be there for… pic.twitter.com/qkfqX1CQea
— Speedy Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 7, 2026
Later, Trump stated he believed Turkey had been a dependable U.S. ally and credited the nation with serving to forestall a broader regional battle involving Iran.
“Turkey has been a fantastic ally for us,” Trump stated, including that Turkey “may have gotten into the combat” however didn’t. He additionally stated Erdogan has been serving to efforts associated to ending the warfare between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump stated he just lately spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and believes each leaders need to negotiate an finish to the warfare.
“I feel they each need to make a deal,” Trump stated. “President Erdogan helps us get it settled.”
.@POTUS: “I had an excellent speak with President Putin… We had an extended speak yesterday — it lasted a very long time — and I additionally spoke with President Zelensky proper after that. I feel they each need to make a deal… I feel one thing’s going to return out.” pic.twitter.com/1ZOR8Yfi85
— Speedy Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 7, 2026
