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Trump Expected to Tell Turkey He Is Ready to Restore Access to F-35 Jets
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- President Trump is expected to inform Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he is prepared to reinstate Turkey in the F-35 stealth fighter jet program, reversing a ban imposed seven years ago on national security grounds.
- This policy shift comes ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara and follows weeks of behind-the-scenes efforts by U.S. national security officials to resolve the impasse.
- The move could face opposition from Congress, which may attempt to block the restoration of Turkey's participation in the program.
- Turkey was expelled from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russian S-400 missile systems, raising U.S. concerns about compromising the jets' stealth capabilities.
- President Trump admires Erdogan and has directed officials to find a way to provide Turkey with the fighter jets, although details and timing remain uncertain.
