By Dwayne Ferreira.
Trump Erdogan meeting in Ankara puts US-Turkey ties, F-35 jets, Ukraine and NATO defence spending under global scrutiny.
ANKARA, Turkey: The Trump Erdogan meeting in Ankara opened with global attention fixed on U.S.-Türkiye ties, NATO unity and a possible defence reset.
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in the Turkish capital on Tuesday and received a welcome from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The visit began a high-stakes round of talks that could reshape one of NATO’s most difficult relationships.
The meeting comes ahead of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit. Türkiye is hosting the gathering at a tense moment for the alliance, with disputes over defence spending, Ukraine, the Middle East and America’s future role in European security.
Erdogan welcomed Trump as the U.S. president began an official visit to Türkiye. The Turkish Presidency said the talks would cover the full range of U.S.-Türkiye relations, including defence, trade and investment. Regional developments are expected to dominate the discussions.
The Trump Erdogan meeting has drawn close attention because both leaders have long relied on direct personal diplomacy. They have spoken warmly of each other in the past. However, relations between Washington and Ankara have faced strain over defence disputes, sanctions, Syria policy, Russia ties and wider regional security concerns.
Trump Erdogan Meeting Puts F-35 Jets Back On The Table
At the centre of the talks is Türkiye’s long-running campaign to return to the F-35 fighter jet programme. Washington removed Ankara from the programme after Türkiye purchased Russia’s S-400 air defence system. U.S. officials said the Russian system created security risks for the advanced American-made fighter aircraft.
Trump is now expected to support a possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye, according to reports citing sources familiar with the matter. Such a move would mark a major diplomatic gesture toward Erdogan. However, it would still face legal and congressional barriers in Washington.
U.S. law currently restricts Türkiye from returning to the F-35 programme while it retains the Russian S-400 system. One possible solution under discussion is whether Ankara could transfer the system to a third country. So far, no final agreement has been announced.
The issue remains highly sensitive. Supporters of restoring Türkiye’s access to the F-35 programme argue that Ankara is too important to NATO to remain locked out of major defence cooperation. Critics say any concession must first answer the security concerns that led to Türkiye’s removal.
The meeting also follows a major jet engine sale linked to Türkiye’s KAAN fighter aircraft project. Ankara sees KAAN as a key part of its effort to build a more independent defence industry. Washington, meanwhile, sees defence cooperation as one route to repair ties with a crucial NATO ally.
Ankara Summit Gives Erdogan A Diplomatic Platform
For Erdogan, Trump’s visit is a diplomatic win. Türkiye is hosting NATO leaders in its capital and using the summit to show that Ankara is not a side player in the alliance. Instead, it wants to present itself as a central power with influence across Europe, the Black Sea, the Middle East and the wider Islamic world.
For Trump, the meeting gives him a chance to show that his direct style of diplomacy can settle disputes that frustrated earlier U.S. administrations. It also lets him pressure NATO allies on defence spending while strengthening ties with a leader he sees as an important partner.
The wider NATO summit is expected to focus heavily on military spending and burden sharing. Trump has repeatedly urged European allies to spend more on defence and reduce their dependence on the United States. NATO members are expected to discuss higher spending targets, increased weapons production and long-term support for Ukraine.
Ukraine will remain a major issue in Ankara. NATO leaders are expected to reaffirm support for Kyiv as Russia continues its war. Türkiye has backed Ukraine in several areas, including defence cooperation. However, Erdogan has also kept channels open with Moscow, giving Ankara a unique and sometimes controversial role inside the alliance.
The Middle East will add another layer of difficulty to the Trump-Erdogan talks. Türkiye has sharply criticized Israel over Gaza, while Trump has remained closely aligned with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Any American move to deepen defence ties with Ankara, especially on F-35 jets, could draw concern from Israel and some U.S. lawmakers.
NATO Unity Faces A Serious Test In Ankara
Despite those tensions, the Ankara meeting could mark a turning point. If Trump and Erdogan make progress on defence cooperation, trade and regional security, the talks could ease years of friction between two NATO allies. Their relationship has often swung between partnership and confrontation.
However, a breakthrough will not come easily. The S-400 dispute remains unresolved. Congress may resist any F-35 deal. Israel is likely to oppose moves that could strengthen Türkiye’s air power. European allies will also watch closely to see whether Trump’s outreach to Erdogan strengthens NATO unity or creates new divisions.
Still, the symbolism of the Trump Erdogan meeting is powerful. Trump’s arrival in Ankara places Erdogan at the centre of one of the most important diplomatic gatherings of the year. It also gives Türkiye a platform to push its defence ambitions, regional agenda and claim to greater influence inside NATO.
As the summit opens, the Trump-Erdogan relationship may become one of the defining stories in Ankara. What happens between the two leaders could shape U.S.-Türkiye relations and NATO’s future direction. The alliance faces pressure from Russia, instability in the Middle East and doubts over America’s long-term role in European defence.
