During a meeting with Turkish President Recep Erdoğan on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump stated that the US would consider selling Turkey F-35 fighter jets, claiming the country is "more loyal" to him than other countries to which the US has sold the jets.
Asked about the possible sale, Trump said, "It's a decision we're going to make. We have a very good relationship. Many people, including those sitting here, think, 'Why wouldn't we do that?'"
The American President claimed: "We have a better relationship with Turkey, and Turkey has been more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal. So it's something we'd consider."
Trump made the remarks during a meeting with Erdoğan in Ankara ahead of the NATO Summit, where the two leaders discussed bilateral ties, trade, military cooperation, Iran, and regional issues.
Calling the F-35 "the best plane by far," Trump said a possible sale to Turkey remained under consideration because of the close relationship between the two countries.
Throughout the meeting, Trump repeatedly praised Erdoğan and highlighted the strength of US-Turkey relations.
"We've had, right from the beginning, good chemistry. We've had a very special relationship," Trump said, adding that Turkey had become "a very powerful country militarily."
The President said the two leaders would discuss trade, military cooperation and Iran, stating that the US had "essentially decimated" Iran's military and reiterating that "they cannot have a nuclear weapon."
Addressing questions about Turkey's defense ties with the US, including concerns related to Russian missile defense systems, Trump dismissed any reservations.
"I have no concerns at all about anything having to do with Turkey," he said. "The relationship with Turkey right now is better probably than it's ever been."
Trump also argued that the US has an obligation to support maintenance and upgrades for American-made military equipment purchased by Turkey.
"When you buy a plane from us, what are we going to say? You're buying a plane if the engine needs work or if the engine has to be rehabilitated or even upgraded somewhat. But I think we have an obligation to do it," he said.
Referring to regional tensions involving Israel and Iran, Trump praised Turkey's conduct during the recent conflict.
"Turkey has been a great ally for us," he said. "They know Iran very well, and they know the problems with Iran. But they've been very instrumental, along with a couple of other countries, in helping."
Trump added that Turkey "could have gotten into the fight" despite criticism over its relationship with Israel.
"I hear some people saying about their relationship with Israel. They could have gotten into the fight. They're a very powerful military nation. They didn't do that. Maybe they didn't do that because of me," he said.
The President further credited Turkey with helping efforts to end the conflict with Iran.
"They've been extraordinary in many ways with respect to our relationship, including trying to end the war with Iran, or whatever you call it. It's not even a war. It's a military operation. It's a denuclearization," Trump said.
He also expressed confidence that Erdoğan opposes Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
"I don't think he wants to see them have a nuclear weapon either. I'm pretty sure of that. In fact, I'm totally sure of that," Trump stated.
Trump also briefly addressed Syria, saying the US has "a very good relationship with the new leader of Syria" and crediting Erdoğan for helping facilitate those ties. "I approved him along with the President. We were the two that really wanted him, and he's done a great job," Trump said, adding that Syria's new leader had "pulled the whole country together."