Trump says US will lift sanctions on Turkey, consider selling F-35s
Sitting next to Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan after landing in Ankara for a Nato summit, Trump said, "That's a decision we're going to make... it's a great plane, the best plane by far and it's certainly something we will consider."
The US had imposed sanctions on Turkey in 2020 over Ankara's purchase of Russian defence missiles.
Turkey has long sought to resolve the question of its readmittance to the F35 programme and the lifting of US sanctions that have soured ties and hampered Turkish defence projects, and has looked to Trump's visit to break the deadlock.
When the pair met at the White House last September, both leaders expressed a desire to draw a line under the matter, although lifting the sanctions is a congressional decision.
Asked if he would lift the sanctions, Trump said: "We're going to be taking the sanctions off."
"We don't want to sanction friends," he added.
Sitting next to him, Erdogan said he was confident Trump would resolve the issue and end the dispute.
"Mr Trump has also personally given us his word on this matter," he said through a translator.
"On this issue, Mr Trump always stands by his word. Here again, God willing, I believe a favourable decision on the F-35s will emerge from this leaders' summit." (AFP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosts US President Donald Trump for a state arrival ceremony at Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara on the sidelines of the Nato summit. (AFP)