Archive · 12 Dec 2025
Turkey and U.S. Discuss F-35s, S-400s Remain Unchanged
Turkey and the United States are talking about how Turkey can join the F-35 jet programme again.
The U.S. has sanctions on Turkey because Turkey bought air defence systems from Russia, which the U.S. thinks are a threat.
Turkey says it won't give up these systems.
Both countries hope to find a solution so Turkey can buy the F-35 jets and be part of the programme again.
The Turkish foreign minister thinks the sanctions will be removed soon.
The U.S. says Turkey can't have both the Russian systems and the F-35 jets.
Turkey says the Russian systems won't be part of NATO.
Turkey and the U.S. are discussing sanctions and obstacles to Turkey rejoining the F-35 jet programme.
Turkey has not changed its possession of Russian S-400 air defences.
The U.S. says Turkey cannot operate or possess the S-400 system if it wants to return to the F-35 programme.
Turkey's foreign minister believes sanctions will be removed soon.
The U.S. views the S-400s as a threat to F-35 jets and NATO's defence systems, while Turkey rejects this claim.
- Who
- Turkey and the United States
- What
- Discussions on U.S. sanctions and obstacles to Turkey rejoining the F-35 jet programme
- When
- Ongoing, with recent comments made on Wednesday and Friday
- Where
- Ankara, Turkey
- Why
- To resolve issues related to Turkey's acquisition of Russian S-400 air defences and its impact on the F-35 programme
- Countries Involved
- Turkey and United States
- Sanctions Imposed
- CAATSA sanctions
- Programme Removed From
- F-35 jet programme
- System Acquired
- Russian S-400 air defences
- U.S. Ambassador to Ankara
- Tom Barrack
- Turkish Foreign Minister
- Hakan Fidan
