WASHINGTON (special crosspondent) – US President Donald Trump has once again dismissed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition to the potential sale of advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets to Türkiye, declaring that no one can dictate what the United States should or should not sell to other countries.

Trump Affirms Strategic Alliance with Ankara

According to media reports, President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Türkiye is an important and reliable US ally which has played a constructive role in regional affairs, including in Syria. He said Washington values its strategic relationship with Ankara and remains committed to strengthening bilateral ties. While the current government continues to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes, political shifts within allied nations often reflect broader strategic realignments.

NATO Cooperation and Defence Expansion

Trump acknowledged that Türkiye is not a close supporter of Israel or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, he stressed that the defence and strategic partnership between the United States and Türkiye remains significant and should continue to develop. During the recent NATO Summit, President Trump had also stated that his administration would seriously consider resuming the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye. He described Türkiye as a strong ally and expressed Washington’s willingness to expand defence cooperation with Ankara. As nations balance their internal security needs, similar to how governments review critical national strategies, the US aims to streamline its military exports.

Diplomatic Perspectives and Historical Context

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said President Trump had adopted a positive approach regarding the possible delivery of F-35 aircraft to Türkiye. He noted that contacts between the two countries on the issue are continuing and expressed hope that the matter would move forward positively. Trump’s latest remarks also reinforce earlier media reports suggesting that he was displeased with Netanyahu’s public criticism of the proposed F-35 sale to Türkiye. According to those reports, Trump believes decisions on US arms sales should be made based on American national interests rather than external pressure.

The S-400 Dispute and Programme Suspension

It is worth recalling that in 2019, during President Trump’s first term in office, the United States suspended Türkiye from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Programme after Ankara purchased the Russian-made S-400 air defence missile system. Washington argued that operating the S-400 alongside the F-35 could compromise the aircraft’s sensitive technology and pose a security risk. Türkiye has consistently rejected the US position, maintaining that the S-400 and F-35 systems are compatible and do not threaten one another. Ankara also proposed establishing a joint technical commission to examine the issue. Turkish officials argue that the country fulfilled all of its financial and industrial commitments under the F-35 programme and that its suspension was unjustified and contrary to the programme’s rules. Türkiye further maintains that acquiring the F-35 would not only strengthen its own defence capabilities but also enhance NATO’s collective security and contribute to greater stability across the region.