Trump Hints at Lifting Türkiye Sanctions, Urges Erdogan to Curtail Russian Energy Ties
WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a potential end to sanctions imposed on Türkiye’s defense industry, contingent on positive discussions wiht Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a meeting at teh white House on September 25, 2025. The move comes after sanctions were levied in Trump’s first term following ankara’s purchase of a Russian air defense system.
The sanctions,initially imposed in 2019 after Türkiye acquired the S-400 system,led to Ankara’s exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet development project and subsequent penalties against the Turkish directorate of the defense industry (SSB). During the meeting,when asked by a journalist about the potential timeline for ending the punitive measures,Trump stated,”If we have a good meeting,then almost immediately.”
Erdogan reportedly expressed hope for discussions regarding the potential re-inclusion of Türkiye in the F-35 and F-16 fighter jet programs. Trump repeatedly praised Erdogan during the meeting, stating, “He does an excellent job in his country,” and emphasizing the “excellent relationship” between the two leaders, despite ongoing concerns regarding the arrest of opposition politicians in Türkiye, including Ekrem Imamoglu, a potential presidential challenger who has been detained for six months.
beyond sanctions relief, Trump pressed Erdogan to reduce Türkiye’s reliance on Russian energy. “I want him to no longer buy oil from Russia” while Moscow continues its war against Ukraine, the U.S. president said.he reiterated this point later, stating, “The best thing he could do would be not to buy oil and gas from Russia.” Erdogan did not offer a direct response to the request.
In 2024, Russia accounted for 66 percent of Türkiye’s oil imports and 41 percent of its natural gas imports, according to the Turkish Energy Market Regulation Authority. Türkiye has maintained close ties with both Russia and Ukraine and has thus far resisted implementing Western sanctions against Moscow.
