ANKARA: US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States will lift sanctions imposed on Turkey over its purchase of a Russian-made air defense system, signaling a major shift in Washington’s policy toward its NATO ally.
Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the NATO summit, Trump said the United States was ending the sanctions and reaffirmed the importance of its relationship with Turkey.
“We are lifting the sanctions on Turkey,” Trump said.
The United States imposed sanctions on Turkey in 2020 under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) after Ankara acquired the Russian S-400 air defense system.
The sanctions targeted Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), restricting U.S. export licenses and defense-related transfers.
They also included asset freezes and visa restrictions on then-SSB President Ismail Demir and other Turkish defense officials, as well as limits on certain loans and financial assistance from U.S. institutions.
Trump also indicated he was prepared to move forward with the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, suggesting the two countries could soon make key decisions on defense cooperation.
He praised Turkey’s role in regional diplomacy, saying Ankara has a deep understanding of Iran and has played an important role in efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Israel has urged Washington to reconsider any decision to readmit Turkey into the F-35 fighter jet program, citing regional security concerns.