Key facts
- President Donald Trump will attend the NATO summit in Turkey at the invitation of host Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
- Trump has frequently praised Erdogan and indicated he might make a significant announcement regarding F-35 fighter jets.
- Turkey was previously barred from the F-35 program due to its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems.
- Despite bipartisan opposition in Congress, the State Department has moved to bypass objections to jet engine sales to Turkey.
- Erdogan has leveraged his relationship with Trump to ensure U.S. participation in the summit.
President Donald Trump is set to attend the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey, a decision influenced by his close relationship with host President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Trump has often lauded Erdogan as a "hell of a leader" and a friend, stating he is attending out of respect for the Turkish president. This appearance is seen as crucial for Erdogan to prevent disarray within the alliance, especially as Trump has previously threatened to reduce U.S. involvement in NATO and has criticized member states for their defense spending.
Trump has further sweetened the prospect of his attendance by hinting at potential news regarding jet engines and the sale of F-35 fighter jets, which have been barred for years due to Turkey's ties with Moscow. Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after acquiring Russian S-400 missile defense systems, raising concerns among U.S. officials about potential intelligence leaks. Despite significant bipartisan opposition in Congress, including from influential Republicans, the State Department has initiated steps to bypass objections to over $700 million in jet engine sales to Ankara. This move has drawn criticism from lawmakers like Rep. Gregory Meeks, who questioned the justification and transparency of the decision.
Erdogan's relationship with Trump contrasts sharply with the Biden administration's approach, which had distanced itself from Ankara over democratic backsliding and ties to Russia. Analysts suggest Erdogan is actively leveraging his rapport with Trump, viewing his potential re-election as beneficial. This is underscored by Erdogan's decision to decline a U.S. invitation for a visit after Turkey endorsed Finland and Sweden's NATO membership, a move interpreted as a signal to Trump.