Trump Signals Potential Breakthrough: U.S. May Advance Turkey's F-35 and Jet Engine Request

"I'm going to probably do something that's going to make him very happy"Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, US President Donald Trump described Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as "a respected leader" and suggested Washington could soon take steps to advance Trkiye's long-standing request for F-35 aircraft and F-110 jet engines News Analysis & Summary In a notable shift in U.S.-Turkey relations, President Donald Trump, speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, expressed strong admiration for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him 'a respected leader.' Trump hinted at imminent U.S. actions to address Turkey's long-standing request for F-35 fighter jets and F-110 jet engines. This development comes years after Turkey was removed from the F-35 program following its acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system. Trump's statement'I'm going to probably do something that's going to make him very happy'suggests a potential thaw in diplomatic tensions. While the move could strengthen NATO's southern flank and reward a key ally, it remains controversial given ongoing concerns about Turkey's S-400 system and human rights record. In my opinion, this signals Trump's willingness to prioritize transactional diplomacy over institutional norms. However, any actual sale would likely face heavy resistance from the U.S. Congress, which has repeatedly blocked such transfers. Ultimately, this is a high-stakes gamble that could either reinvigorate a critical alliance or deepen geopolitical rifts. Source: @trtworld on X/TwitterPublic Engagement Views: 4,628 Likes: 14 Shares: 2 Published: June 25, 2026, 8:58 am