Trump Signals Jet Sales and Possible Sanctions Lift

On Sept. 25, 2025, President Trump hosted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House, their first meeting since 2019, to discuss restoring strained U.S.-Turkey ties including trade and major arms deals. Trump signaled the United States may soon lift its hold on sales of F-35s, F-16s and large Boeing purchases and suggested the administration could even lift related sanctions, saying decisions could come quickly. He pressed Erdoğan to stop buying Russian oil, tying potential concessions to Ankara’s energy ties with Moscow as a way to reduce funding for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Turkey was removed from the F-35 program after its 2019 purchase of Russia’s S-400 air-defence system amid U.S. security concerns, and regional partners have raised strategic objections. Both leaders emphasized a warmer personal rapport than under the Biden administration and left open the prospect of imminent decisions that could quickly reshape arms, sanctions and trade relations.