Turkey, Israel and the United States clash over possible F-35 sale at NATO summit in Ankara

A possible return of US F-35 fighter jet sales to Turkey has reopened a long-running dispute at the NATO summit in Ankara. The issue centres on Turkey's purchase of Russia's S-400 air defence system in 2019 and the US response that followed. Israel has now joined the debate, warning Washington not to move ahead with any sale.

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According to the supplied material, Turkey was removed from the F-35 programme in 2020 after buying the Russian system despite US warnings. Washington argued at the time that operating the S-400 alongside the F-35 could expose sensitive information about the aircraft's technology. Turkey has since said the decision was unfair and has continued to press for either delivery of the jets it says it already paid for, reinstatement in the programme, or a full refund.

The latest discussion was sharpened by comments attributed to Donald Trump, who said he wants to suspend sanctions imposed on Turkey over the S-400 purchase. He also said he is open to selling F-35s to Turkey again. The material says the US Congress later approved a law blocking new F-35 sales while Turkey keeps the Russian systems, which means any change would face political and legal hurdles in Washington.

Israel's concern is tied to the regional military balance. Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, urged the United States not to proceed with the sale, saying it could affect the balance of power in the Middle East. That position reflects a broader pattern in which advanced US weapons sales to regional partners are often judged not only on bilateral ties, but also on their possible impact on deterrence and security calculations across the region.

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The dispute also highlights how the S-400 issue has remained unresolved for years. Turkey was once part of the international F-35 programme and took part in both production and procurement, making its removal a significant break in defence cooperation with the United States. The current debate suggests that the issue is now being revisited in the context of wider efforts to reset relations between Washington and Ankara.

What remains unclear is whether any actual policy change will follow the public comments. The supplied material does not confirm a final decision on sanctions or on a renewed F-35 sale. The next developments to watch are whether the United States formally changes its position, whether Turkey makes any new concession on the S-400, and how Israel and other NATO members respond.

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