Trump Plans Surprise NATO Summit Meeting with Erdogan in Ankara

US President Donald Trump is set to attend the NATO summit in Ankara, where he will hold a significant meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The visit, the first by a US president to Turkey since Barack Obama in 2015, may include a major security development: reinstating Turkey into the F-35 stealth fighter jet program. This move comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Turkey, with Israel closely monitoring the regional implications. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has criticized Israel, stating it has become "a problem for the entire international community." Despite Trump's critical stance toward some European leaders, his personal relationship with Erdogan led him to accept the invitation to the summit.

During a press interaction with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Trump hinted at a significant gesture toward Turkey's request to purchase F-35 jets and F110 jet engines. Trump said, "Yes, I think so. I'm probably going to do something that will make him very happy." Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after acquiring the Russian S-400 air defense system, raising US concerns about exposing stealth technology to Moscow. However, the Trump administration is now considering Turkey's return to the program, contingent on compliance with US legal requirements.

Additionally, two sources familiar with the matter told the Associated Press that the State Department advanced a plan last week to approve the sale of F110 engines to Turkey. Lawmakers in Congress were notified of the intention to bypass opposition to the deal, which is valued at over $700 million. This development signals a potential shift in US-Turkey defense relations amid broader geopolitical tensions in the region.