Trump heads to Ankara as F-35 issue returns to agenda
U.S. President Donald Trump may signal support for restoring Türkiye’s access to the F-35 fighter jet program during his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara, the New York Times reported on July 6.
The newspaper, citing four senior administration officials, said Trump was expected at least to indicate his intention to move forward with providing the aircraft to Türkiye.
It remained unclear when such a step could be taken or how the administration would address congressional and legal restrictions, the report said.
The Times noted that any move could face opposition in Congress, which has previously restricted the sale of F-35s to Türkiye unless the administration determines that Ankara no longer possesses the Russian-made S-400 air defense system.
