US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signalled potential progress on Turkey's long-standing bid to acquire F-35 fighter aircraft, calling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 'a friend' and suggesting he would bring something to 'make him very happy' at next month's NATO summit in Ankara. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump confirmed he would attend the July 7-8 summit largely as a show of respect for the Turkish leader.

What Trump Said

Trump praised Erdogan's restraint during the recent conflict with Iran, saying he had personally urged the Turkish president to stay out of the fighting. 'He was a prime candidate to go into the war with Iran, maybe on the Iran side, because he's not a big fan of Israel, as you know. And I asked him to stay out; he stayed out,' Trump said.

When asked directly whether he would arrive in Ankara with a 'big gift bag' — including approval for F-110 jet engines and F-35 aircraft — Trump replied: 'Yeah, I think so.' He added that Erdogan 'is a strong member of NATO' and that he was 'going to probably do something that's going to make him very happy.'

Vance: Legal Review Underway

Vice President J.D. Vance, invited by Trump to address the F-35 question directly, indicated the administration was conducting a compliance review before any formal announcement. 'We're running the traps and confirming that's happened,' Vance said. 'This is really a congressional thing, and ensuring that Turkey has complied with American law so they can get the F-35s.'

Vance said a formal announcement would follow once the review concluded, signalling that no final decision had been made as of Wednesday.

Background: Why Turkey Lost Access to the F-35

Turkey was removed from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme in 2019 after it purchased the Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile system, triggering US sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Ankara has since repeatedly sought reinstatement, arguing that its NATO membership and strategic importance warrant reconsideration.

Notably, this is not the first time the Trump administration has floated the possibility of restoring Turkey's access — similar signals emerged during Trump's first term without a final resolution. The current review by Vance's office suggests the White House is now treating the question as one of legal compliance rather than pure geopolitical discretion.

NATO's Stakes at the Ankara Summit

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reinforced Turkey's value to the alliance, noting that the country's defence industrial base comprises 3,000 companies operating across member states, including in the United States. Trump echoed the point, describing Turkey as possessing 'a very strong military' and noting it already operates significant quantities of American military equipment.

The Ankara summit on 7-8 July is expected to focus on implementing the alliance's new defence spending commitments, expanding defence industrial production, and coordinating continued support for Ukraine. Turkey, NATO's second-largest military after the United States, occupies a strategically critical position linking Europe, the Middle East, and the Black Sea region.

Trump also revealed that his decision to attend was directly tied to Erdogan's role as host: 'If not for the fact that it was being held in Turkey by President Erdogan, I don't think I would have gone to it.'

What Happens Next

The Vance-led review's outcome will determine whether the F-35 question moves from diplomatic signalling to a formal congressional notification — the legal step required before any sale can proceed. Industry and alliance observers will be watching closely whether the July 7-8 summit produces a concrete announcement or remains, as on previous occasions, a statement of intent.