Erdoğan says Turkey expects concrete steps to rejoin U.S. F-35 program

At the conclusion of the United Nations General Assembly, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed confidence that the United States will soon take concrete steps to reintegrate Turkey into the F-35 fighter jet program. He cited a positive statement from President Donald Trump indicating willingness to restore Turkey's role, and called for that willingness to be translated into actionable measures. The issue stems from a 2019 decision to exclude Turkey after its purchase of Russian S-400 air-defence systems, which led to U.S. sanctions and claims of incompatibility with NATO assets.

Turkey has argued it fulfilled its commitments and that the suspension violated rules, proposing a joint commission to examine the matter. At the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump signaled an intention to lift sanctions and resume sales, reinforcing one outlet diplomatic push.