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Türkiye and the United States are closer than they have previously been to resolving disputes over CAATSA sanctions and the F-35 fighter jet program, Türkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador Levent Gumrukcu said Friday in Washington.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council Türkiye Program, Gumrukcu said resolving the two countries’ defense-related disagreements became a priority after President Donald Trump took office, leading Ankara and Washington to establish a joint political and military working group.
“This time we really feel closer. We feel that we might be able to resolve this issue and leave that problem behind us,” Gumrukcu said.
He said he could not yet provide details about the possible terms of an agreement or when one might be reached.
Gumrukcu said the joint working group had considered several options aimed at addressing both Washington’s legal requirements and Ankara’s political and economic concerns.
“They have looked at many different options to satisfy the legal obligations on the U.S. side and the political and economic considerations on the Turkish side,” he said.
Gumrukcu expressed confidence that the current U.S. administration would fulfill its commitments if the two NATO allies reached an agreement.
“For the first time ever, really for the last 10 to 15 years, we have full confidence in the United States administration that when we reach a deal, they are going to deliver their part of the deal as well,” he said.
Gumrukcu said the negotiations were not limited to Türkiye potentially returning to the F-35 program.
He described the discussions as part of a wider effort to establish “much deeper defense industry cooperation” between Ankara and Washington.
Resolving the CAATSA sanctions and F-35 dispute has remained one of the central issues in defense relations between the two countries.
Addressing Türkiye’s 2019 purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, Gumrukcu said Ankara had faced an urgent requirement after it was unable to obtain alternative air defense systems from its allies.
He said Türkiye turned to Russia to fill an “immediate gap” in its air defense capabilities.
“We were compelled to buy this S-400 as an immediate gap filler. But even right after that, we have told our allies that this is a one-off procurement,” Gumrukcu said.
He emphasized that the purchase was not intended to represent a continuing procurement policy.
Gumrukcu was also asked about opposition to U.S.-Türkiye defense cooperation from several members of the U.S. Congress, including lawmakers of Greek heritage.
“Not only the Greek-origin members of the Congress, but also there have been some statements coming from Greece on that issue as well, and I believe this is an unnecessary sort of politics,” he said.
Gumrukcu said Türkiye had not objected when Greece purchased defense equipment from the United States or European allies.
“When Greece is buying its own defense equipment from other countries, including the United States and European allies, we have never commented on that because we are in the same alliance, and we would only be happy if our allies become stronger in their own defense,” he added.
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