In a move signaling a dramatic shift in US-Turkish relations, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed that the United States is easing long-standing sanctions on Türkiye’s defence sector and has approved a major new arms sale to Ankara. The development marks a significant thaw in the tense bilateral relationship that had deteriorated after Türkiye’s controversial arms deal with Russia five years ago.

The announcement comes just days after Erdogan returned from the European Political Community summit in Albania. Speaking to reporters aboard his plane, Erdogan declared, “We can safely say that CAATSA sanctions are being eased,” referring to the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which Washington used in 2020 to impose penalties on Türkiye over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defense systems.

The sanctions had severely limited Türkiye’s defense procurement capabilities and strained its role within NATO. However, Erdogan’s recent statements suggest that Washington, under renewed diplomatic engagement, is softening its stance.

Türkiye’s acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 air defence systems in 2019 sparked outrage in Washington. The United States argued that integrating Russian systems into NATO infrastructure posed a security risk, especially to the F-35 fighter jet program, which Türkiye was previously a part of. In response, Türkiye was removed from the F-35 project, and sanctions were imposed on the Turkish Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) under CAATSA.

Despite sustained US pressure, Ankara refused to abandon the S-400 deal, defending its sovereign right to procure arms based on its national interest. Erdogan consistently rebuffed accusations of........

© Blitz