US President Donald Trump left the door open for Turkey’s return to the F-35 program. “It’s something we should think about,” the American president stated characteristically from the Presidential Palace in Ankara, during a brief meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday afternoon (07/07). Trump had arrived earlier in the Turkish capital ahead of the NATO Summit, with his Turkish counterpart giving him a warm welcome. Following the brief one-on-one meeting between the two leaders, statements were made from Turkey’s Presidential Palace.
Trump on Turkey’s possible return to the F-35 program
Speaking specifically about the possibility of Turkey rejoining the F-35 program, Trump stated: “It’s something we’ll think about. That’s a decision we’ll make ourselves. We have a very good relationship. Everyone says: ‘Why don’t we do this?’ Turkey is more loyal than most countries. It’s something we’re looking at. The F-35 is the best aircraft in the world, and we’ll take that into consideration.”
The American president also spoke warmly about his Turkish counterpart, describing Erdoğan as a personal friend.
Turkish President Erdogan on Türkiye’s F-35 jets:
We had received a commitment for five aircraft, and President Trump has also given his word on this matter.
President Trump always stands by his word. I believe a favorable decision will be made regarding the F-35 program. pic.twitter.com/I2Tn2rkOXg
— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 7, 2026
Erdoğan: I believe a positive decision will be reached on the F-35
Turkish President Erdoğan, for his part, stated: “Regarding Gaza, I discussed these matters with my esteemed friend, and we attach great importance to this leaders’ summit, especially for achieving peace in the region. We view any decision that comes out of the summit positively, and I believe this is achievable. Of course, the F-35 is not a new issue for us — we have discussed it with the United States in the past and were given a commitment for five aircraft. Mr. Trump also gave us his word, and I know that in the discussions at this summit we are viewing favorably the commitment we received from them regarding the F-35. Mr. Trump always keeps his word on this matter. I believe a positive decision regarding the F-35 will be reached.”
Trump’s schedule in Ankara
Following the official welcoming ceremony and the honor guard salute at the Presidential Palace, Trump and Erdoğan proceeded to a bilateral meeting and talks, accompanied by parallel sessions between their respective delegations.
After approximately three hours of scheduled talks, Trump was set to head to the JW Marriott hotel at around 5:00 p.m. under tight security measures, where he was expected to remain for two hours. At around 7:00 p.m., the American president was scheduled to return to the Presidential Palace for the leaders’ dinner, which Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis — expected to arrive in Ankara shortly beforehand — was also set to attend.
The dinner was hosted by President Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan in honor of the attending leaders and their spouses. Trump was expected to remain at the Presidential Palace for approximately two and a half hours before returning to his hotel to rest.
According to his schedule, the US president was due to participate the following morning at 8:00 a.m. in a two-hour session of the critical NATO Summit at the Presidential Palace. At 10:00 a.m., Trump was scheduled to receive NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Presidential Palace, with a brief statement planned immediately afterward.
Following the traditional family photo, Trump was set to join a NATO leaders’ working session expected to last more than three hours. Notably, Trump had no other bilateral meetings scheduled with additional leaders, with the exception of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Although not included in the official program, Turkish media reported that Trump was expected to hold a press conference on the following evening.
