Washington had previously sanctioned Ankara due to its purchase of the S-400 system from Russia.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the United States is easing restrictions on Türkiye’s defense sector and has greenlit a significant arms agreement.
In 2020, the US imposed sanctions on Türkiye under CAATSA following Ankara’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system. Türkiye consistently refused to cancel the deal with Russia, asserting its right to choose its own weapons suppliers.
“We can confidently say that CAATSA sanctions are being relaxed,” Erdogan told journalists on Saturday, upon his return from the European Political Community summit in Albania. He also mentioned his conversation with the new US ambassador to Türkiye, Tom Barrack.
“With my friend Trump assuming office, we established more transparent, more constructive, more sincere communication,” he stated.
The easing of restrictions comes as the US approved a potential missile sale worth over $300 million, which Erdogan sees as a step toward removing remaining obstacles between the two NATO allies. “As two major NATO allies, there should be no defense restrictions,” he emphasized.
During a phone conversation in March, Erdogan urged Trump to lift the sanctions, finalize a $23 billion deal for 40 F-16 fighter jets, and reinstate Türkiye in the F-35 fighter jet program. Ankara was excluded from the project in 2019 due to concerns that the Russian S-400 system could jeopardize the jet’s security. Trump is reportedly open to Türkiye’s return if the S-400 system is dismantled or moved to a US-controlled base.
Erdogan and Trump recently had another call, where they discussed Syria, Gaza, and efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. Trump, who previously described his relationship with Erdogan as “excellent,” characterized the conversation as “very good and productive.”
Türkiye hosted the first direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations in three years on Friday in Istanbul, during which the parties agreed to a major prisoner exchange.
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