During a meeting at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to stop purchasing oil from Russia amid ongoing efforts to diminish Moscow’s energy revenue due to the war in Ukraine. Trump expressed that halting these imports would be “the best thing” Erdogan could do.

The discussions did not result in concrete agreements regarding U.S. sanctions on Turkey or the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets. Turkey has long been barred from acquiring F-35s after purchasing Russian S-400 air defense systems. Trump emphasized Erdogan’s potential influence over both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting he could play a significant role in the conflict if he chooses to.

In recent weeks, Trump asserted his intention to implement stricter sanctions on Russia, contingent on NATO allies ceasing their energy purchases from the country. U.S. lawmakers have raised concerns regarding Turkey’s military actions in Syria and its ties with Russia, complicating discussions about the F-35 program. Trump noted he believed a resolution would be reached, mentioning that sanctions could be lifted “very soon” following a positive meeting between the leaders. Erdogan has previously criticized the F-35 restrictions, calling them inappropriate for a strategic partnership.



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