U.S. President Donald Trump (right), visiting Turkey to attend the NATO summit, speaks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a welcome ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Ankara on the 7th (local time). [AP=Yonhap News]

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on the 7th (local time) that there is a possibility of allowing Turkey to return to the U.S. F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jet program.

President Trump made the remarks in response to questions from reporters prior to a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, ahead of the NATO summit being held in Turkey that day.

When asked about the potential sale of F-35s, President Trump replied that he "will make a decision soon," adding, "It is an excellent fighter jet. It is by far the best fighter jet in existence, and it is certainly a matter we will consider."

When asked by reporters about concerns that Turkey’s acquisition of the F-35 could conflict with the Russian-made S-400 air defense system purchased in 2019, or lead to the leakage of U.S. F-35 stealth technology to Russia, he asserted, "I have absolutely no concerns about any of that."

The Washington Post (WP) reported that Turkey plans to work out a proposal with the U.S. to transfer the S-400 system to a third country in order to facilitate its acquisition of the F-35.

President Trump emphasized, "We will lift the sanctions. It is time," adding, "We do not want to impose sanctions on our friends." U.S. media reported that this refers to lifting sanctions on Turkey related to the purchase of F-35s.

After Turkey purchased the S-400s despite U.S. warnings, the first Trump administration expelled Turkey from the F-35 program under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

This sanction, which aims to deter foreign nations from dealing with U.S. adversaries such as Russia, North Korea, and Iran, was also enacted into law by Congress under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.

President Trump adopted a markedly different tone this time. He praised Turkey, stating that it is "in many ways far more loyal than other (NATO) countries we thought we could count on," and that it "has been of greater help to the U.S. than many traditional countries (allies)."

President Trump stated, "Turkey has purchased fighter jets from the U.S.," adding, "What are we supposed to do? If the engines need repair or upgrades, it is our duty to provide them."

It is unclear whether the "fighter jet purchase" referred to by President Trump specifically pertains to the F-35 contract. According to a Congressional Research Service report, Turkey paid for the F-35s but has yet to receive them from the U.S.

In this regard, President Erdogan said, "The F-35 matter is not new," adding, "We were promised five fighter jets." He also expressed hope that "this promise will proceed in a positive direction at the leaders' summit."

President Trump acknowledged that "I know there are many people who do not agree" with selling F-35s to Turkey, but reiterated that "Turkey has been our great ally." President Erdogan personally greeted President Trump at the airfield earlier that day.

President Trump cited examples such as Turkey not militarily intervening in the war with Iran, cooperating during the end-of-war process, and contributing to the improvement of U.S.-Syria relations.

Within the U.S. political sphere, there are growing voices of opposition, with critics arguing that lifting sanctions and providing F-35s to Turkey would violate current law.

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) wrote on X that he "hopes it is not true" that Turkey would return to the F-35 program. According to the online outlet Axios, 18 members of the House of Representatives, including Dina Titus (D-Nevada), sent a letter to their respective party leaders urging Congress to block the F-35 sale to Turkey, citing violations of law and sanctions.

Meanwhile, President Trump revealed that he "had a long, deep conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday. And right after that, I also spoke with President Zelensky (of Ukraine)," adding, "I believe something will come of it."

President Trump repeatedly criticized NATO, saying he is "very disappointed in NATO," citing the fact that European countries did not help the U.S. in the Iran war despite the U.S.'s contributions to the alliance.

He claimed that if the summit were not being held in Turkey and if it weren't for President Erdogan's invitation, he "might not have attended the meeting," arguing, "We have not been treated well (in Europe) because of what we did in Iran."

Regarding the Danish territory of Greenland, he also reiterated that it is "a reason that has hurt the relationship between (the U.S.) and NATO," asserting that "Greenland should be controlled by the United States, not Denmark."

U.S. President Donald Trump (center), visiting Turkey to attend the NATO summit, is greeted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Ankara Airport on the 7th (local time). [Reuters=Yonhap News]