US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States will lift sanctions on Turkey that were imposed in 2020 over Ankara's purchase of Russian S-400 defense missiles, and expressed willingness to sell Turkey F-35 fighter jets. Speaking to reporters before a meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during a NATO summit in Ankara, Trump stated, "We're going to be taking the sanctions off," adding that his secretary of state and Treasury secretary were working on the issue. The move would remove a major irritant in bilateral ties between the two NATO allies, which have been warmer under Trump. Trump was upbeat about the potential F-35 sale, calling the jet "the best plane by far" and saying it is "certainly something we will consider." However, US law currently prohibits F-35 sales to Turkey as long as it retains the S-400 system, which poses a security risk to US-made aircraft. Two sources familiar with the matter said one solution gaining traction is to send the Russian system to a third country, though an agreement has yet to be sealed. Trump's visit to Turkey is the first by a US president in 11 years, and he was welcomed with a lavish state ceremony by Erdogan.
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