U.S. could soon lift sanctions against Türkiye, Trump says

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he could lift sanctions against Türkiye’s defence industry “very soon,” depending on the outcome of his Oval Office meeting with Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan.

“Against sanctions against Türkiye? Could be very soon. If we have a good meeting, almost immediately,” Trump told reporters before praising Ankara’s rising defence contributions within NATO. “They’re paying now 5% of GDP. Nobody thought that was possible … The relationship is very good. NATO, with us, is the strongest it’s ever been.”

The restrictions were imposed after Türkiye’s 2019 purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems, which Washington deemed incompatible with NATO’s defences. Erdoğan is pushing for a breakthrough to ease the measures, encouraged by Trump’s warmer approach toward Moscow and his personal rapport with the Turkish leader.

The atmosphere contrasts sharply with former President Joe Biden’s stance of keeping Ankara at a distance over its close ties to Russia. Under Trump, both sides have found new common ground in Syria, where they now back the central government after years of dispute.

Still, frictions remain. Ankara has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, a position strongly rejected by Washington. Analysts warn that while Trump and Erdoğan’s pragmatic, leader-to-leader diplomacy could deliver short-term results, deeper strategic tensions continue to cast uncertainty over the partnership.

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