Key facts
- Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed optimism about lifting U.S. sanctions and rejoining the F-35 program.
- The U.S. previously sanctioned Turkey and removed it from the F-35 program over its acquisition of Russian S-400 missile systems.
- Reports suggest Turkey may resell the S-400s to a Gulf nation to facilitate its return to the F-35 program.
- Russia has confirmed communication with Turkey regarding the S-400 systems.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Ankara hopes to soon resolve U.S. sanctions and secure its return to the F-35 fighter jet program, emphasizing that defense industry restrictions should not exist between allies. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Turkey in 2020 under CAATSA for acquiring Russian S-400 missile defense systems, subsequently removing Ankara from the F-35 program. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated he would lift these sanctions. Fidan noted that both CAATSA and the F-35 issue are subject to U.S. legislation and expressed confidence in reaching a conclusion. Reports suggest Turkey might resell the S-400s to a Gulf nation to facilitate its re-entry into the F-35 program, a move that has reportedly displeased Israel. Russia has confirmed ongoing communication with Turkey regarding the S-400 systems.