Trump Presses Erdogan on Russian Oil, F-35 Jet Deal

• News By : Web Desk
• 2025-09-26 04:42:18

WASHINGTON: 26.09.2025: US President Donald Trump urged Turkey to halt its oil imports from Russia to cut Moscow’s energy funding amid the Ukraine war.

Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House, Trump called stopping Russian oil purchases “the best thing” Turkey could do.

The meeting did not yield firm commitments on lifting US sanctions or selling F-35 jets to Turkey, but Trump expressed optimism about progress on both fronts. Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after buying Russian S-400 missile systems.

Trump highlighted Erdogan’s influence on both Russia and Ukraine and urged him to use it to help end the conflict. Despite Turkey being a major buyer of Russian energy, Trump criticized Nato allies for funding Russia through oil purchases.

Trump also said sanctions on Turkey could be lifted soon if talks go well. Erdogan, meanwhile, criticized the F-35 ban as unbecoming for a strategic partner.

The two leaders also avoided public disagreement on Gaza during their Oval Office meeting, despite Erdogan’s earlier harsh criticism of Israel.

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