From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Erdogan: Trump promised us five F-35 jets and he ‘always keeps his promises’
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he hopes for a positive result on Ankara’s desire to buy F-35 fighter jets after his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Ankara, adding that Trump had previously promised to give the NATO ally five jets and that “he always keeps his promises.”
Turkey was a buyer and manufacturer of the F-35 jets before it was expelled from the program in 2020 over its purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems. It has called the move unjust and demanded the jets it has paid for or to be reinstated or reimbursed. Since Trump came to office, the sides have publicly voiced a desire to resolve the issue.
Speaking to reporters alongside Trump at the presidential palace in Ankara before their bilateral meeting, Erdogan also says he will discuss the war in Ukraine with Trump.
The Times of Israel Community.