Trump Signals Plan to Lift Turkey Sanctions, Resume F-35 Sales at NATO Summit
At the 2026 NATO summit, Trump announced U.S. plans to lift sanctions and resume F-35 sales to Turkey.
Why it matters: Shifts in U.S. sanctions and export controls affect legal compliance in defense sales, export licensing, and international agreements. This move impacts NATO interoperability and U.S. sanctions enforcement frameworks.
- On July 7, 2026, Trump announced at the NATO summit plans to lift sanctions on Turkey for its 2019 S-400 missile purchase.
- Trump expressed willingness to reverse Turkey's 2019 expulsion from the F-35 program and potentially restart sales.
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu opposed the F-35 sale due to Turkey’s hostile rhetoric toward Israel.
- On July 5, 2026, 18 bipartisan U.S. lawmakers called for blocking F-35 sales while Turkey retains the S-400 system.
At the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7, 2026, President Donald Trump announced plans to lift U.S. sanctions imposed on Turkey over its 2019 purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system, which was sanctioned under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (DefenseNews).
Trump indicated openness to reversing Turkey's 2019 expulsion from the F-35 fighter jet program, stating, "It's time to do that. We don't want to sanction friends. It's very simple." He characterized Turkey as "much more loyal than other countries" in NATO.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed this announcement, referencing prior commitments to acquire five F-35 jets, according to Anadolu Agency. Erdoğan expressed hope for a positive outcome from the summit’s discussions.
However, opposition remains. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed concerns directly to Trump, citing security risks linked to Turkey’s leadership. Netanyahu stated, "Turkey is a great country, but it's governed by a man who calls openly for the annihilation of Israel." This highlights geopolitical complications affecting defense agreements.
Prior to the summit, on July 5, 2026, a bipartisan group of 18 U.S. lawmakers publicly urged the administration to block any F-35 sales to Turkey while the S-400 system remains active. They flagged potential risks to NATO security and aircraft system interoperability.
Legal experts note that resuming F-35 sales involves navigating complex sanctions law and export control challenges. The S-400 is a Russian system incompatible with U.S. technology, posing compliance issues under CAATSA, the statute governing sanctions against adversarial state activities.
Professor Emily Hodge, an arms control law expert at Georgetown University, explained, "Reversing these sanctions requires careful legal review to align with CAATSA provisions and to safeguard NATO’s operational security. Legal teams must manage export licenses and compliance with sanctions to avoid compromising coalition capabilities." (Georgetown University Faculty)
Legal and compliance professionals in government and defense industries should monitor ongoing developments, assessing risks related to export licensing, sanctions enforcement, and international coordination within NATO frameworks.
By the numbers:
- July 7, 2026 — Date Trump announced lifting sanctions at NATO summit
- 2019 — Year Turkey purchased Russian S-400 missile system and was expelled from F-35 program
- 18 lawmakers — Number of bipartisan U.S. legislators calling to block F-35 sales while S-400 remains
Yes, but: Despite the announced plans, bipartisan congressional opposition remains strong, signaling potential legislative hurdles in lifting sanctions or resuming jet sales.
What's next: Further NATO summit discussions and U.S. congressional hearings on Turkey sanctions and F-35 sales are expected following the July 2026 announcements.