Trump moves to lift Turkey sanctions as S-400 obstacle still blocks F-35 return

United States President Donald Trump announced on July 7, 2026, that Washington would lift defence sanctions imposed on Türkiye over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 air-defence system, while signalling that a separate decision on selling F-35 stealth fighter jets to Ankara remained under consideration.

Donald Trump made the announcement before talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit in Ankara. Donald Trump said the United States Department of State and the United States Department of the Treasury were working on removing the sanctions, but neither government immediately published a timetable or the legal measures required to complete the process.

The sanctions were imposed in December 2020 under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act after Türkiye acquired the S-400 system from Russia. Washington had already suspended Türkiye from the F-35 programme in 2019, arguing that operating the Russian system near the stealth aircraft could expose sensitive information about the fighter’s capabilities.

Removing the sanctions would represent a major political concession to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and could reopen defence-industrial cooperation between the two allies. It would not, however, automatically restore Türkiye’s access to the F-35 because United States law continues to restrict the transfer of the aircraft while Ankara possesses or operates the S-400 system.

What exactly did Donald Trump announce about sanctions and Türkiye’s F-35 request?

Donald Trump announced that the United States would remove the sanctions imposed on Türkiye under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. The declaration was politically clear, but the technical implementation remained incomplete because the administration must formally modify the sanctions measures and determine how affected Turkish institutions and officials will be treated.

The sanctions targeted Türkiye’s Presidency of Defence Industries, the government body responsible for managing major military procurement programmes. The measures included restrictions on United States export licences and authorisations, as well as financial and visa-related penalties against named officials.

Donald Trump treated the F-35 question as a related but separate decision. Donald Trump expressed willingness to consider selling the aircraft to Türkiye but did not announce a completed contract, congressional notification, delivery schedule or agreement resolving the S-400 dispute.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Türkiye had previously been promised five F-35 aircraft and expressed hope that discussions with Donald Trump would produce a favourable outcome. Türkiye had ordered aircraft and participated in manufacturing components for the programme before Washington removed it over the Russian missile purchase.

The distinction matters because the sanctions can potentially be altered through executive action, while an F-35 transfer faces a more complicated combination of statutory restrictions, congressional oversight, technology-security requirements and objections from regional allies.

Why did Türkiye’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 system cause such a serious alliance dispute?

Türkiye signed for the Russian S-400 system after years of disagreement over its air-defence requirements and the terms available from Western suppliers. The first components arrived in 2019, creating an unprecedented situation in which a North Atlantic Treaty Organization member possessed an advanced Russian radar and missile system while preparing to operate the alliance’s most sophisticated United States-built combat aircraft.

United States officials argued that the S-400 could collect information about the F-35’s radar profile, electronic emissions and operational characteristics. Washington feared that data obtained while the systems operated within the same military environment could ultimately become accessible to Russia.

Türkiye rejected the claim that the S-400 posed an unavoidable security threat and proposed technical arrangements intended to prevent direct interaction between the Russian system and North Atlantic Treaty Organization networks. Washington concluded that those measures would not eliminate the fundamental counterintelligence risk.

The dispute consequently moved beyond an ordinary disagreement over military procurement. The United States removed Türkiye from the multinational F-35 production partnership, stopped aircraft deliveries and later imposed sanctions on the Presidency of Defence Industries. Türkiye described the measures as unjust and inconsistent with relations between allies.

Donald Trump’s July 7 announcement attempts to separate the broader defence relationship from the unresolved S-400 issue. That political separation may permit greater cooperation in other areas, but the technical incompatibility at the centre of the dispute has not disappeared.

Why does United States law still prevent an immediate F-35 sale to Türkiye?

Congress enacted restrictions preventing Türkiye from receiving F-35 aircraft while the country continues to possess or operate the S-400 system. The administration would need to demonstrate that the Russian equipment no longer creates the prohibited security condition before Türkiye could return to the programme.

Donald Trump therefore cannot complete the entire process through a public declaration alone. The executive branch can advocate for a sale and seek cooperation from Congress, but lawmakers retain powers through legislation, funding decisions and the formal review of major foreign military sales.

Congressional resistance is likely to come from several directions. Some lawmakers remain concerned that the S-400 could compromise F-35 technology. Others have objections involving Türkiye’s regional policies, relations with Russia, human rights record or military disputes with neighbouring countries.

A bipartisan group of United States lawmakers has urged congressional leaders to prevent an F-35 transfer while Türkiye retains the Russian system. Their opposition indicates that removing sanctions may be easier than assembling sufficient political support for the aircraft sale.

Ankara and Washington could seek new legislation, a certification arrangement or a solution that removes the S-400 from Turkish possession. Until one of those routes is completed, Donald Trump’s support improves the political environment but does not create legal authority for deliveries.

Could transferring Türkiye’s S-400 system to a third country unlock the F-35 deal?

One option under discussion would involve moving the S-400 equipment from Türkiye to a third country. Such an arrangement could allow the United States administration to argue that Türkiye no longer possesses or operates the system and therefore satisfies the legal condition for renewed F-35 access.

The proposal raises several unresolved questions. Washington and Ankara would need to agree on where the equipment would be stored, who would control it, whether it could be reactivated and how compliance would be verified over time.

Russia would also have an interest in the outcome. Arms contracts commonly include end-user restrictions preventing a buyer from transferring equipment to another country without the original supplier’s consent. It remained unclear whether Moscow would approve a transfer that enabled Türkiye to obtain the United States fighter Russia’s system had originally blocked.

Placing the system under Turkish control but keeping it inactive may not satisfy Congress because the equipment could theoretically be returned to service. Transferring only selected components might also fail to remove the legal and technical concerns.

A durable compromise would require Türkiye to surrender meaningful control of the system while preserving a political explanation acceptable to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government. Türkiye paid for the S-400 and has repeatedly defended the purchase as a sovereign decision, making an outright disposal domestically sensitive.

The third-country option is therefore plausible but not simple. It provides a negotiating route, not evidence that the dispute has already been resolved.

What would Türkiye’s return to the F-35 programme mean for NATO’s military balance?

Türkiye has the second-largest armed forces in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and occupies a strategic position connecting Europe, the Black Sea, the Caucasus and the Middle East. Returning Türkiye to the F-35 programme could add significant fifth-generation combat capability to the alliance’s southern and southeastern regions.

The Turkish Air Force operates a large fleet of F-16 aircraft, but some airframes are ageing as regional competitors acquire newer fighters, missiles and air-defence systems. F-35 aircraft would provide Türkiye with stealth, advanced sensors and networked combat capabilities that cannot be fully replicated through upgrades to older platforms.

Türkiye’s return could also restore parts of the industrial relationship disrupted in 2019. Turkish companies previously manufactured components for the F-35 supply chain, although Washington and programme partners subsequently moved production elsewhere.

The wider alliance is attempting to expand weapons production and reduce capability gaps as the United States reassesses its military presence in Europe. North Atlantic Treaty Organization members announced defence deals worth at least $50 billion around the Ankara summit, placing the Türkiye decision within a broader effort to accelerate procurement and industrial output.

However, reintegrating Türkiye without resolving the underlying security concern could weaken confidence in the standards governing access to sensitive alliance technology. Other members will want assurance that political reconciliation has not replaced technical protection of the F-35 platform.

Why are Israel and other regional governments concerned about a Turkish F-35 acquisition?

Israel has publicly opposed the sale, arguing that transferring F-35 aircraft or advanced fighter-engine technology to Türkiye could alter the regional military balance. Israel operates its own customised version of the fighter and places considerable strategic importance on preserving its qualitative military advantage.

Relations between Türkiye and Israel have deteriorated sharply over Gaza, Syria and their competing regional policies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has argued that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s political position towards Israel makes the proposed transfer particularly dangerous.

Türkiye has rejected Israel’s objections and described claims about a destabilising regional balance as misleading. Ankara argues that it is a longstanding North Atlantic Treaty Organization member entitled to obtain advanced Western systems when it satisfies the applicable security conditions.

Greece will also monitor the process closely because Athens has ordered F-35 aircraft and has longstanding disputes with Türkiye involving airspace, maritime boundaries and the eastern Mediterranean. Turkish access to the same platform could change defence planning on both sides, although Greece and Türkiye have recently maintained diplomatic channels intended to reduce tensions.

The United States must therefore assess the proposed sale through several overlapping frameworks: alliance interoperability, protection of F-35 technology, Israel’s qualitative military advantage, congressional approval and the military balance between Greece and Türkiye.

How does the sanctions announcement support Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s wider defence strategy?

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has sought to reduce Türkiye’s dependence on any single foreign weapons supplier while expanding domestic production of drones, missiles, naval vessels, armoured systems and aircraft.

Restored access to United States technology would complement rather than replace that strategy. Türkiye still needs Western fighter engines, avionics and other components for important programmes, including the domestically developed KAAN combat aircraft.

The Donald Trump administration recently notified Congress of a proposed sale of dozens of fighter-jet engines to Türkiye valued at more than $700 million. Those engines could support Türkiye’s effort to move KAAN from development towards serial production while Ankara continues pursuing the F-35.

Receiving both systems would provide Türkiye with a two-track modernisation strategy. F-35 aircraft could deliver advanced operational capability sooner, while KAAN could provide greater industrial independence and export potential over the longer term.

The removal of sanctions may also improve access to licences, financing and cooperation that extend beyond one aircraft programme. Türkiye’s Presidency of Defence Industries has faced restrictions affecting its dealings with United States companies, making sanctions relief commercially significant even without an immediate F-35 contract.

For Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the announcement also represents a diplomatic victory. Türkiye has insisted for years that Washington should treat the S-400 dispute through negotiation rather than permanent exclusion from advanced Western defence programmes.

Does Donald Trump’s decision mark a complete reset in United States-Türkiye relations?

Donald Trump’s personal relationship with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has created political momentum that was largely absent during earlier periods of tension. Donald Trump praised Türkiye’s loyalty and described bilateral relations as exceptionally strong during the Ankara meetings.

The sanctions announcement removes one of the most visible symbols of distrust between Washington and Ankara. Cooperation could now expand across defence trade, Syria, the Black Sea, Ukraine diplomacy, counterterrorism and regional energy routes.

Important disagreements remain. The United States and Türkiye have held different positions on Kurdish armed groups in Syria, relations with Russia, Israeli security and democratic governance within Türkiye.

Western concern over Türkiye’s domestic political environment has also increased following legal action against opposition figures, journalists and demonstrators. Those issues received less attention during the summit as North Atlantic Treaty Organization governments prioritised military capability and Türkiye’s strategic position.

The relationship is therefore entering a more cooperative but still transactional phase. Donald Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan may resolve individual disputes through leader-level negotiations, yet lasting stability will require institutional agreements capable of surviving changes in government and renewed regional crises.

What developments will determine whether Türkiye actually receives F-35 fighter jets?

The first indicator will be the formal removal of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act measures. United States agencies must publish the legal actions implementing Donald Trump’s announcement and clarify which Turkish institutions and officials are affected.

The second issue will be the S-400 arrangement. Türkiye must either remove the system, transfer it or agree to a verified mechanism that satisfies United States law and technology-security requirements.

The third indicator will be congressional reaction. Opposition from key committees could delay or block an aircraft sale even if Donald Trump formally supports the transaction.

The fourth issue will concern Israel and Greece. Their objections will not independently determine United States policy, but Washington will consider regional military balances and possible measures protecting allied security interests.

The fifth indicator will be a formal sale notification identifying the number of aircraft, weapons, training, support equipment, cost and delivery schedule. Until such a document appears, discussions remain political rather than contractual.

Donald Trump’s announcement has reopened a path that appeared blocked for years. The path still passes through the S-400 system, Congress and a regional security debate that cannot be resolved through presidential chemistry alone.

What are the key takeaways from Donald Trump’s Türkiye sanctions and F-35 announcement?

• Donald Trump announced on July 7, 2026, that the United States would remove defence sanctions imposed on Türkiye under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act after Ankara purchased Russia’s S-400 air-defence system.
• The sanctions targeted Türkiye’s Presidency of Defence Industries and included restrictions on United States export licences, financial transactions and named officials, but the administration had not immediately completed the formal legal process required to remove them.
• Donald Trump separately expressed willingness to consider selling F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye, while stopping short of announcing a contract, congressional notification, delivery timetable or completed agreement resolving the Russian missile dispute.
• United States law continues to restrict Türkiye’s access to the F-35 while Ankara possesses or operates the S-400 system, meaning presidential support alone cannot immediately authorise the aircraft transfer.
• One proposed solution involves transferring the S-400 equipment to a third country, but such an arrangement would require agreement on custody, verification and Russia’s end-user conditions before it could satisfy United States lawmakers.
• A Turkish F-35 acquisition would strengthen North Atlantic Treaty Organization capability near the Black Sea and Middle East, while also raising concerns in Israel and Greece about technology, air power and the regional military balance.
• Sanctions relief could benefit Türkiye’s wider defence industry even without an immediate F-35 deal by easing restrictions affecting licences, cooperation and programmes including the domestically developed KAAN combat aircraft.
• The next decisive signals will be formal sanctions-removal documents, an enforceable S-400 settlement, congressional support and a detailed foreign military sale notification specifying aircraft numbers, cost and delivery arrangements.