"I have no problem with the presence of Russian S-400s in Turkey", the American president clarified
The American president Donald Trump clarified after his meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that he has no problem with the presence of the Russian S-400s in Turkey, thus implying that they do not constitute an obstacle to the delivery of the American F-35 fighters to Ankara, causing panic in Israel and... concern in Athens, as reported by the Tass agency on 7/7.
While shortly earlier, the American president made a "fire" statement, which overturns the facts in the Eastern Mediterranean and portends a radical rearrangement in relations between the USA and Turkey, throwing wide open the window for the return of Turkey to the fifth-generation F-35 fighter program.
The American president not only clearly implied that the "freezing" of defense cooperation with Turkey is ending, but proceeded to an unprecedented move of political support toward the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Singing the praises of the Turkish leadership, Trump praised the stance of the neighboring country, characterizing it as one of the most reliable partners of the Americans and sending clear messages in all directions about how he intends to manage the geopolitical balances in the region.
"I have no problem with the presence of Russian S-400s in Turkey"
The American President Donald Trump stated that he does not consider the presence of Russian S-400 air defense systems in Turkey a problem regarding the country's ability to procure the F-35 fighter jets.
"I have absolutely no concern," he stated, answering a question about whether possession of the aforementioned air defense systems by Turkey constitutes a problem in relation to the F-35s.
"I have no concern regarding Turkey. I would say that relations with Turkey are now perhaps better than ever," he stressed during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.
"CAATSA sanctions against Turkey are over"
At the same time, the American President Donald Trump promised to lift the sanctions that had been imposed on Turkey under the CAATSA law.
He himself explained the reason during a meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the NATO summit in Ankara:
"We do not want to impose sanctions on friends,"
The American restrictions were imposed in December 2020, when Washington punished Ankara for purchasing the Russian S-400 air defense systems, valued at 2.5 billion dollars.
Turkey refused to make concessions, abandoning the Patriot system in favor of the Russian systems, and paid the price with its exclusion from the F-35 program.
Now Donald Trump is ready to review the situation.
What changed?
According to Turkish media, already from 2024, Ankara promised Washington not to use the S-400 systems in exchange for its return to the F-35 program.
At the same time, the Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that the USA no longer objected to the presence of the Russian systems in a NATO ally.
Now, Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks openly about his plans to integrate the S-400s into the national air defense system Steel Dome and has not ruled out the possibility of purchasing new divisions.
It still remains unclear whether the promise to lift sanctions constitutes the culmination of a long-standing diplomatic "bargaining" or whether we are witnessing the start of a new phase, during which Turkey returns to Western defense programs while simultaneously attempting to maintain its ties with Russia.
Trump's disappointment. with NATO and the Russian systems in Turkey
Donald Trump also repeated that he might have refused to attend the summit if it had taken place in another NATO country and not in Turkey.
"I am very disappointed with NATO. And frankly, if this summit had not taken place in Turkey . probably I would not have attended," the American leader stated.
It is noted that in 2017, Turkey bought four divisions of S-400 air defense systems from Russia for 2.5 billion dollars.
In October 2019, Rosoboronexport (part of the state corporation Rostec) announced that the contract for the systems had been fulfilled.
Following the signing of the contract between Turkey and Russia for the supply of an S-400 regiment, Ankara had been excluded from the USA program for the development of the next-generation F-35 fighter aircraft.
Trump bombshell on Turkey, the door opens for F35 - Erdogan: You have promised us 5 aircraft.
A "fire" statement that overturns the facts in the Eastern Mediterranean and portends a radical rearrangement in relations between the USA and Turkey was made by Donald Trump, throwing wide open the window for the return of Turkey to the fifth-generation F-35 fighter program.
The American president not only clearly implied that the "freezing" of defense cooperation with Turkey is ending, but proceeded to an unprecedented move of political support toward the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Singing the praises of the Turkish leadership, Trump praised the stance of the neighboring country, characterizing it as one of the most reliable partners of the Americans and sending clear messages in all directions about how he intends to manage the geopolitical balances in the region.
The. Trump bombshell on F-35
"It is something we will think about" the president of the USA answered when asked about the possibility of Turkey returning to the F-35 program.
"This is a decision that we will make. We have very good relations. Everyone says: 'Why not do this?' Turkey is more loyal than most countries. It is something we are looking at. The F-35 is the best aircraft in the world, and we will take it into account."
On his part, Erdogan stated relatively: Of course, the F-35 is not a new issue for us. We have discussed it with the USA in the past and we were given the promise for 5 aircraft.
Trump also gave us his word, and I know that in the discussions of this Summit we are looking positively at the promise we received from them regarding the F-35.
Trump always keeps his word on this matter. I believe that a positive decision regarding the F-35 will emerge."
The praise of Trump for Erdogan
Furthermore, the president of the USA made laudatory comments both for Erdogan and for Turkey.
"As has been widely reported in the press, we are very close friends (with Erdogan).
It is wonderful to be welcomed by the building where my name is written as soon as I land at the airport. The airport is beautiful, all the roads are new.
We have good relations from the start. It is a very special relationship between us. Turkey has a very strong leader. It possesses strong military forces. It is a very strong country. Thanks to this relationship, everything is going well. I harbor great respect for the President. We will probably discuss about Iran too. We have largely destroyed its military. They will not acquire nuclear weapons. It is a great honor for me to be among you. We had a very good meeting. We enjoyed a nice dinner and worked a lot" Trump characteristically stated.
The president of the USA mentioned, yet, that he decided to attend the Summit due to the relationship he has developed with Erdogan. "We are great friends," he characteristically stated.
Arrows against NATO
In the meantime, Trump launched his arrows anew against NATO.
"You never know why a relationship is special.
Some people need to be in your life and others not. You either cooperate with very tough guys or you cannot get along with weak people. We had that incident with the pastor, who was sentenced to long-term imprisonment. I called the President and he released him immediately. The Christian community will not forget him. Then I understood how good the chemistry between us was.
There are also those with whom I do not have good chemistry, and we get along with them in some way.
NATO disappointed me a lot. If it were not for Turkey, maybe I would not have joined, but I believed I had to join for the sake of my friend. I was not asking for help regarding Iran.
We spent trillions of dollars for the protection of Europe. We thought that maybe they would want to help us. Britain said it would help us after the war. I was testing people" the president of the USA characteristically said.
The war in Ukraine
Regarding the war in Ukraine, the president of the USA stated that he spoke with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. "And he (editor's note: Putin) harbors great respect for Erdogan.
I also spoke with Zelensky (editor's note: president of Ukraine).
I believe that we will reach some conclusion.
I have stopped 8 wars and I believe that we will reach the 9th. Wars are won when hope is lost.
Sometimes I get along very well with Putin, other times with Zelensky, and other times not. What I know best is closing deals. I always close deals."
The dialogue about Air Force One
Trump landed at the Ankara airport with Air Force One, where the Turkish president was waiting for him. The two men exchanged a handshake, with Trump grabbing Erdogan by the shoulder.
After the handshake, the two men walked together on the carpet, inspecting the Turkish troops.
The two leaders did not make statements to the journalists, however Trump was heard talking to Erdogan about the new aircraft he uses as Air Force One, saying: "This is the first flight of this plane." "For the first time," the American president added, with Erdogan replying: "Yes, yes, I know it. I heard it."
Then, Trump said: "Now it is brand new."
The translator, addressing Erdogan, explained that "it is used as the first aircraft, because it was given as a gif
The Turkish president replied: "It came from Qatar." The translator conveyed to Trump: "From Qatar, as a gift."
The American president reportedly replied: "Yes, yes." Then he mentioned: "Eight hundred million dollars" and added: "Brand new."
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