{"id":28398,"date":"2025-03-27T00:01:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T22:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=28398"},"modified":"2025-03-26T23:20:37","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T21:20:37","slug":"turkish-foreign-minister-visits-us-to-revive-defense-ties-and-push-for-f-35-program-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/turkish-foreign-minister-visits-us-to-revive-defense-ties-and-push-for-f-35-program-return\/","title":{"rendered":"Turkish Foreign Minister visits US to revive defense ties and push for F-35 program return"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>5 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan began a two-day official visit to Washington, D.C., on March 25, 2025, with the primary goal of urging U.S. officials to lift sanctions on Turkiye and reinstate Ankara\u2019s participation in the F-35 fighter jet program.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following a high-level meeting in Washington between Hakan Fidan and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Turkish foreign ministry announced that the United States has expressed a mutual desire to eliminate barriers hindering cooperation in the defense industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;During the meeting between Fidan and Rubio on Tuesday, both sides put forth their political will to lift obstacles to cooperation in the defense industry field,\u201d Turkish Foreign Ministry sources said. \u201cTechnical talks will be held for the resolution of existing problems,\u201d the source added, though no further details were provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Turkish diplomat hopes to make progress in lifting U.S. sanctions on Turkiye and allowing it to rejoin the F-35 program. Turkiye was a key partner in the program before being kicked out in 2019 over Ankara&#8217;s acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense missile systems. Ankara calls the decision unfair and illegal, demanding either a return to the program or compensation for its investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"800\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Meeting between Turkish FM Hakan Fidan and his US counterpart Marco Rubio begins at the US State Department in Washington DC <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/FkYO33Lnpy\">pic.twitter.com\/FkYO33Lnpy<\/a><\/p>\u2014 TRT World (@trtworld) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/trtworld\/status\/1904617220476486100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 25, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Visit comes amid protests in Istanbul<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The visit, Fidan\u2019s first to Washington since Donald Trump\u2019s return to the White House in January, comes at a politically sensitive time for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Just days before the diplomatic talks, Erdogan&#8217;s main political rival, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, was jailed pending trial, triggering the largest wave of anti-government protests in Turkiye in over a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fidan&#8217;s visit came after a phone call between Erdogan and President Trump that reportedly laid the groundwork for renewed bilateral engagement. \u201cThe president had a great conversation with Erdogan a couple of days ago. Really transformational, I would describe it,\u201d Steve Witkoff, Trump\u2019s special envoy for the Middle East, said during an interview with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>US-Turkiye ties<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This warming of ties marks a significant shift from the policy of the previous administration. Under former President Joe Biden, U.S.-Turkey relations were characterized by cool detachment due to Ankara\u2019s closer ties with Moscow, divergent positions on Syria, Gaza, and human rights issues. In contrast, Trump\u2019s more conciliatory stance toward Russia and his personal rapport with Erdogan appear to be driving a strategic recalibration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDiscussions between Washington and Ankara had taken a new dimension,\u201d a Turkish official stated, referring to the new political atmosphere following Trump\u2019s return to office. The same official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted that Ankara hopes to resolve the S-400 crisis by agreeing to keep the missile systems non-operational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf U.S. sanctions on Russia are to be lifted, it becomes illogical for CAATSA to be implemented on third countries. As much as this issue is about Turkey-USA ties, it is also about Turkey-Russia ties,\u201d the official added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The U.S. had previously sanctioned Turkey under the Countering America\u2019s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) in 2020, following Ankara\u2019s purchase of the S-400 system. That decision also led to Turkey\u2019s expulsion from the F-35 program, where it had been both a buyer and a manufacturing partner. Turkey has long argued that its removal from the program was both &#8220;unjust and illegal&#8221; and continues to demand either reinstatement or reimbursement for its investment.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/US-F35-jet.jpeg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"690\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/US-F35-jet.jpeg?resize=690%2C370&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"U.S. Air Force F-35 fighter jet\" class=\"wp-image-24778\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/US-F35-jet.jpeg?w=690&amp;ssl=1 690w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/US-F35-jet.jpeg?resize=300%2C161&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>U.S. Air Force F-35 stealth fighter jet. (Image Credit: U.S. Air Force)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>With the F-35 option closed for now, Turkey has shifted focus to acquiring 40 Lockheed Martin Block-70 F-16 fighter jets. Although both sides have agreed on the sale, progress has remained sluggish. This week\u2019s discussions in Washington included further talks on the matter, though no concrete breakthroughs have yet been announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry source, Fidan and Rubio also broached other critical topics of regional and international importance. These included discussions on forthcoming head-of-state level visits, the stability of Syria and the Balkans, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the necessity for a ceasefire in Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The evolving geopolitical landscape, particularly Trump\u2019s change in approach to Russia, has significantly impacted Turkey\u2019s standing. Trump has taken steps to wind down U.S. involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, a stark contrast to Biden\u2019s unwavering support for Kyiv. European leaders have expressed concern over Washington\u2019s shifting priorities, potentially enhancing Ankara\u2019s strategic value in a post-Ukraine-war European security framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, Erdogan\u2019s domestic challenges could also influence foreign policy decisions. The jailing of Ekrem Imamoglu has added fuel to long-simmering tensions within Turkey and raised questions about the country\u2019s democratic trajectory. These developments, while officially outside the scope of the bilateral talks, are likely to shape the political climate surrounding any U.S.-Turkey agreements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the diplomatic language remains cautious and the path to full defense industry cooperation remains complicated, the tone of this week\u2019s discussions suggests a thawing of relations that could lead to a more collaborative era. Whether this newfound momentum will translate into substantive policy changes or military agreements remains to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For now, both Ankara and Washington appear willing to explore new avenues for partnership, rebalancing a relationship that has for years swung between strategic alliance and cautious skepticism.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Turkish-President-Recep-Tayyip-Erdogan-speech.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"677\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Turkish-President-Recep-Tayyip-Erdogan-speech.jpg?resize=1016%2C677&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan\" class=\"wp-image-19341\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Turkish-President-Recep-Tayyip-Erdogan-speech.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Turkish-President-Recep-Tayyip-Erdogan-speech.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Turkish-President-Recep-Tayyip-Erdogan-speech.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Turkish-President-Recep-Tayyip-Erdogan-speech.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Turkish-President-Recep-Tayyip-Erdogan-speech.jpg?resize=589%2C392&amp;ssl=1 589w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (Image Credit: Twitter\/@RTErdogan)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan began a two-day official visit to Washington, D.C., on March 25, 2025, with the primary goal of urging U.S. officials to lift sanctions on Turkey and reinstate Ankara\u2019s participation in the F-35 fighter jet program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28417,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[62,1,125],"tags":[6,208,357,252,286,20,82,540,7,22],"class_list":["post-28398","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-news","category-united-states","tag-defense","tag-diplomacy","tag-europe","tag-f-35","tag-fighter-jet","tag-russia","tag-turkey","tag-turkiye","tag-u-s","tag-ukraine"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/us-rubio-turkish-fidan.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-7o2","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28398","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28398"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28398\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28418,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28398\/revisions\/28418"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28417"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28398"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28398"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28398"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}