Trump Praises Erdogan When Asked About Turkey Sanctions
President Donald Trump emphasized his friendship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when asked at the White House on Friday, October 2, why promised sanctions relief for Turkey had not materialized. His response offered personal reassurance but no explanation of the delay or timetable for action.
“I’ll always speak to President Erdogan. He’s a friend of mine, as you know, and I’ll always make him happy,” Trump responded.
The CNN Türk reporter referred to Trump’s comments at the NATO summit in July and asked what was holding up the lifting of sanctions. Trump asked which organization the reporter represented before turning to his relationship with Erdogan. He did not announce a sanctions waiver or an aircraft agreement during the exchange.
Turkey sanctions stem from Russian missile purchase
The dispute centers on Turkey’s acquisition of Russia’s S-400 air-defense system. A July 14, 2026, Congressional Research Service report described Ankara as seeking both relief from U.S. sanctions and the purchase of 40 F-35 fighter jets. It also recorded Trump’s July statements supporting sanctions relief and consideration of an aircraft sale.
The sanctions, imposed during Trump’s first administration and effective December 14, 2020, targeted Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries, known as SSB, and four officials under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA.
The measures included restrictions on U.S. export authorizations for SSB and access to financing, alongside asset-blocking and visa restrictions affecting the designated officials. They were targeted defense-sector sanctions, not a blanket ban on commerce with Turkey.
F-35 transfers face a separate legal restriction
Sanctions relief would not automatically clear the way for Turkey to receive F-35s. Turkey was removed from the aircraft’s international development program in July 2019 after acquiring the S-400. U.S. officials cited concerns that the Russian system could be used to gather intelligence on the fighter’s stealth capabilities.
Congress subsequently enacted a separate prohibition on F-35 transfers to Turkey. According to the Congressional Research Service, the law allows that prohibition to be waived 90 days after the executive branch certifies that Turkey no longer possesses the S-400 or associated equipment, has credibly committed not to reacquire it, and meets an additional condition concerning other Russian defense acquisitions.
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