President Donald Trump opened the NATO summit with a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, focusing discussions on the blocked sale of F-35 Lightning II aircraft and pathways to ending the conflict in Ukraine. The sit-down marks a continuation of direct engagement from the White House to untangle a defense trade knot that has strained relations and impacted American manufacturing lines.
F-35 Program and Defense Jobs
The talks included the potential for Turkey to re-enter the F-35 program. Ankara was suspended and removed from the supply chain in 2019 after acquiring the Russian S-400 air defense system. The move disrupted production schedules at Lockheed Martin facilities, directly affecting American assembly line workers. Any resumption of sales would require certifying that no Russian system integration compromises the jet's stealth capabilities, a core interest for U.S. national security and the domestic industrial base.
Diplomatic Push on Russia-Ukraine
The leaders also discussed reaching a conclusion in the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump pressed for a negotiated settlement that halts the flow of American taxpayer dollars into a grinding stalemate overseas. The administration’s position prioritizes a swift end to the conflict to refocus resources on domestic economic nationalism and the primary strategic challenge posed by China.
“The President is engaging world leaders to put American interests first—whether it's getting our allies to buy American jets or stopping endless foreign wars,” a White House official familiar with the talks said.
The meeting at the NATO summit signals that the administration is willing to use high-level diplomacy to secure defense export wins and reduce foreign entanglements, aligning with an agenda centered on national sovereignty and economic strength.