US President Donald Trump said Türkiye has played a significant role in reducing tensions across the Middle East, describing Ankara as a country that “knows Iran very well” and has contributed to regional stability through diplomatic efforts.
Ankara, Türkiye – Web Desk: Trump made the remarks after meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara during the NATO Summit. Erdogan welcomed the US president upon his arrival at the airport before the two leaders held bilateral talks.
Speaking to the media, Trump described Erdogan as “a very good friend” and praised the strong ties between the United States and Türkiye. He said both countries would continue discussions on expanding bilateral trade and confirmed that Washington is considering the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye.
“Many people believe Türkiye should be allowed to purchase F-35 fighter aircraft, and we are reviewing the issue,” Trump said.
The US president also criticized NATO, saying the alliance had been “disappointing” at times, while emphasizing that the United States had invested billions of dollars to ensure Europe’s security.
Trump added that if the NATO Summit had not been hosted in Türkiye under the leadership of President Erdogan, he might not have attended the gathering.
Commenting on regional issues, Trump said Türkiye understands Iran better than most countries and has played a crucial diplomatic role in reducing tensions in the Middle East. He also expressed optimism that Russia and Ukraine both want a negotiated settlement and hoped the conflict would end soon.
President Erdogan said discussions over Türkiye’s acquisition of F-35 fighter jets were not new, noting that the issue had previously been raised with Washington.
“We were promised five F-35 fighter jets, and we hope a positive decision will emerge during the NATO Summit,” Erdogan said.
Addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the Turkish president reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting peace efforts in the region, expressing hope that the NATO Summit would produce constructive outcomes.
Responding to a question about US-Iran relations, Erdogan said Türkiye is working to help both sides reach common ground and remains committed to supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening global peace.
