Why F-35 Fighter Jet Is at Heart of US-Turkey Ties: QuickTake

Sept. 26, 2025, 9:48 AM UTC

Ties between the US and Turkey have been strained over the Turkish government’s purchase of a Russian surface-to-air missile-defense system. The Americans responded by barring Turkey’s access to their F-35 stealth fighter jet in 2019 and imposing sanctions.

The dispute wasn’t resolved when Presidents Donald Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdogan met at the White House on Sept. 25, although Trump suggested that he’s open to allowing Turkey to purchase F-35s.

“It depends,” the US leader said when asked if the way had been cleared for a deal with Erdogan. “He’s going to do something for us.”

It’s not clear ...

Learn more about Bloomberg Law or Log In to keep reading:

See Breaking News in Context

Bloomberg Law provides trusted coverage of current events enhanced with legal analysis.

Already a subscriber?

Log in to keep reading or access research tools and resources.