Trump pressures Erdogan to cut Russian oil imports, opens door to F-35 deal
In a new move to increase pressure on Moscow, US President Donald Trump met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House on Thursday, formally requesting Russia's invitation and hinting at the possibility of Turkey returning to the F-35 fighter jet. The meeting represents an attempt to reset relations between the two NATO allies. Erdoğan's top team in the White House for the past six years contributed to the meeting, which emphasized the need for Turkey to stop purchasing Russian aircraft as Russia's war in Ukraine continues. These actions could help mitigate the Kremlin's scaling back of its military efforts.
“I want him to stop buying any oil from Russia while Russia continues this aggression against Ukraine,” Trump said. The US president's statements are part of a series of pressures he is exerting on his partners to reduce their purchases of Russian energy.
The meeting was an opportunity to review defense files and military deals between the two countries, including the possibility of returning Turkey to the F-35 fighter jet program. Trump did not commit to letting Ankara rejoin, but hinted that sanctions on Turkish officials could be lifted as soon as a good deal was reached. “I think he will succeed in buying what he needs, we all have our needs,” he added.
<blockquote class= "twitter-tweet" > < p lang= "tr" dir= "ltr" >🗣️Abd Başkanı Trump: " Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın Recep Tayyip Erdoğan & # 39; ın koltuğunu çekerken görüldü,<br>◾Donald Trump ; Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan; muazzam bir ordu kurdu ve kendisini Beyaz Saray & # 39; da ağırlamak bizim için bir onur"<br>◾<a href= "https://twitter.com/hashtag/G%C 3%BC%C 3%A7l%C 3%BCT%C 3%BCrkiyeG%C3%BC%C3%A7l %C3%BCLider?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc % 5Etfw ">#GüçlüTürkiyeGüçlüLiderBoşuna Dünya Lideri Erdoğan… <a href= "https://t.co/zy3i7QGONe">pic.twitter.com/zy3i7QGONe— Muhammed İkbal (🇹🇷@ikbldrs) <a href= "https://twitter.com/ikbldrs/status/1971278804283691124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September25, 2025</blockquote> <script async src= "https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8">
Relations between the two countries have been strained for a long time due to Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system, which led to its expulsion from the F-35 program and the imposition of US sanctions on the Turkish defense sector. However, Trump sees an opportunity to settle these differences, including by discussing Ankara's purchase of the Patriot system as an American alternative to the S-400.
Turkey is a major player in the region, reliant on US military and diplomatic support, and its commitment to NATO is seen as an indicator of the stability of its large economy in the Middle East. Trump indicated that Erdoğan could play an influential role in persuading Moscow to stop the fighting, but stressed that reducing Russian energy imports remains the most effective option for pressuring the Kremlin. In 2024, Russia was Turkey's largest energy supplier, accounting for 66% of oil imports and 41% of natural gas imports. Ankara is working to diversify its gas sources, including long-term contracts with US companies to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Trump expressed frustration at Russian President Vladimir Putin's disregard for international pressure, but continued to put pressure on U.S. allies, demanding a halt to Russian energy purchases and new tariffs on India and China. Despite the previously tense relationship between Trump and Erdogan, the two sides recognize the importance of improving cooperation between Washington and Ankara to achieve common interests, including strengthening Turkey's role in a turbulent regional environment and strengthening NATO's resilience against Russia and China.