Trump: 'I will probably do something' that will satisfy Turkey

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he would "probably do something" that would satisfy Turkey, responding to questions about whether he intended to meet Ankara's desires for F-35 fighter jets and engines for its domestic KAAN fighter jet program. Trump made these remarks during a joint press conference at the White House with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Earlier, Reuters reported, citing four sources familiar with the matter, that the Trump administration was planning to proceed with the sale of dozens of fighter jet engines to Turkey, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, despite objections from the U.S. Congress. The engines, manufactured by General Electric, are slated to equip Turkey's first indigenous fighter jet, the KAAN, a significant program initiated in 2016 to enhance defense self-sufficiency.

According to one of the Reuters sources, the total package for the deal could exceed $700 million. Trump also noted that he would not attend the NATO summit in Ankara if Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan were not present, underscoring the importance of bilateral relations. He reiterated to Rutte that NATO countries had "disappointed" the U.S. during the war against Iran, criticizing Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who attended the meeting, stated that a review process is underway to determine how the United States could sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, given Ankara's acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems in 2019. Vance explained that "Pete (Hegseth) and the whole team are looking at this right now" to ensure compliance with U.S. law, as requested by the President.