US to lift Turkey sanctions, Trump signals F-35 sales

President Trump said on July 7 that the U.S. will lift sanctions on Turkey imposed over Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems, reopening a defense dispute that has strained relations with a NATO ally. He also signaled willingness to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, a step that would mark a sharp shift from Washington’s earlier decision to remove Ankara from the fighter program.

Market reaction was pending. The announcement matters beyond defense procurement because it points to a possible reset in a bilateral relationship shaped by security, trade and alliance frictions.

F-35 path reopens for Ankara

Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian air defense system had triggered U.S. sanctions and led Washington to exclude Ankara from the F-35 program. Officials had argued that the S-400 created security risks for the advanced fighter platform, while Turkey has long sought to restore access to high-end U.S. defense hardware.

If the sanctions relief is implemented without new conditions, Ankara could gain

room to rebuild defense ties with Washington and reduce one pressure point inside NATO.

If the F-35 sale remains conditional or stalls in the U.S. approval

process, the announcement may serve more as diplomatic signaling than an immediate change in Turkey’s military procurement options.

For global geopolitics, the shift could ease one alliance irritant at a time when NATO cohesion remains central to U.S. security policy. For defense contractors and suppliers, any revived fighter sale would depend on formal approvals, delivery timelines and technical safeguards.

The next test comes over the next 24 hours, through July 8, 2026, when markets and allied governments will look for written U.S. guidance on sanctions relief and any formal F-35 process.