Turkey seeks to alleviate U.S. sanctions and enhance relations during Washington visit

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is scheduled to meet with U.S. officials in Washington this week, where he will advocate for the removal of U.S. sanctions on Turkey and seek the country’s reinstatement in a vital fighter-jet program. This initiative comes as Ankara aims to improve its relations with Washington under President Donald Trump’s administration.

Fidan’s discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio are set for Tuesday, shortly after a phone conversation between Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, which a senior Trump aide characterized as “transformational.”

This visit by the Turkish diplomat is particularly significant for Erdogan, following the recent imprisonment of his main political opponent, Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, pending trial. This event has sparked the largest anti-government protests in over a decade, occurring amid a prolonged legal crackdown on opposition figures.

In recent years, U.S.-Turkey relations have deteriorated, straying from their historical strategic partnership due to escalating disagreements between the two NATO allies. The Biden administration maintained a cautious distance from Turkey, primarily due to its perceived close ties with Russia. In contrast, under Trump, who has a more favorable view of Moscow, Ankara is optimistic about fostering a closer relationship with Washington, leveraging the personal rapport between the two leaders.

During his meetings, Fidan will stress the need to initiate discussions on lifting CAATSA sanctions and the process for Turkey’s re-entry into the F-35 program, according to a Turkish diplomatic source who requested anonymity. Initially, Trump had overlooked recommendations from his advisors to impose sanctions on Turkey under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) due to Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems in 2019, but he ultimately took action in 2020.

The acquisition resulted in Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 jet program, where it played both a manufacturing and purchasing role. Ankara contends that this exclusion is unjust and illegal, demanding either reinstatement in the program or reimbursement for its financial contributions.

Discussions among allies aimed at resolving the S-400 impasse continued during Biden’s administration. According to a source familiar with the talks, Turkey had committed to keeping the systems non-operational, but no significant progress was achieved.

RUSSIA IMPACT

Throughout Biden’s presidency, the allies entered a new phase of relations characterized by a more transactional approach, rather than one grounded in shared values, as disagreements over policies regarding Syria, the Gaza conflict, and judicial issues remained evident.

Since taking office on January 20, Trump has reversed Biden’s strategy of isolating Moscow and providing steadfast support to Kyiv, instead prioritizing an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. This shift has alarmed European leaders, who worry that Washington may be distancing itself from Europe, while simultaneously enhancing Ankara’s potential role in redefining European security.

A Turkish official, who requested anonymity, informed Reuters that the dialogue between Washington and Ankara has “taken a new dimension” following Trump’s change in stance towards Moscow. “If U.S. sanctions on Russia are lifted, it becomes illogical to enforce CAATSA on third countries. This issue pertains not only to Turkey-U.S. relations but also to Turkey-Russia relations,” the official stated.

Sources close to the situation indicated that the recent phone call between Erdogan and Trump could generate positive momentum in discussions in the coming days, although no commitments were made. “The president had a great conversation with Erdogan a couple of days ago. I would describe it as truly transformational,” said Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, in an interview with right-wing podcaster Tucker Carlson.

Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program prompted the country to acquire 40 Lockheed Martin Block-70 F-16 fighter jets. Nevertheless, despite reaching an agreement on the purchase, there has been minimal advancement in the acquisition process over the past few months.

A Turkish source indicated that Fidan will also address the Russia-Ukraine conflict, recent developments in Syria, and the situation in Gaza during his visit.