Trump urges Turkey to stop buying Russian oil as Erdogan pursues F-35 deal

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday urged Turkey to halt purchases of Russian oil, saying doing so would be the 'best thing' Ankara could do as the war in Ukraine continues. Trump spoke alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House, where the leaders' meeting produced no firm commitments to lift U.S. sanctions on Turkey or to approve the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets. Trump expressed optimism about both issues, saying discussions could lead to a conclusion soon, but he offered no timeline.

Erdogan arrived at the White House seeking momentum on a broader energy and defense agenda, including renewed access to F-35 aircraft that was cut off after Turkey purchased the Russian S-400 air defense system in 2019. Ankara has long sought a pathway back into the program, arguing for closer integration with NATO and broader cooperation with Washington. A U.S. defense bill passed in 2020 blocked Turkey from obtaining F-35s unless the administration certifies that Turkey has abandoned the Russian system. That certification has not been granted, contributing to a stalemate over the jets.

As with many international energy ties, Turkey sits among Moscow’s larger customers for oil and gas, a fact that complicates Washington’s push to curb Russian revenue as part of a broader effort to pressure Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Trump has previously signaled willingness to widen sanctions if NATO partners meet conditions, including reducing purchases of Russian energy. In a later discussion about the war, the president also used a UN General Assembly speech to criticize NATO allies for funding the war through energy imports from Moscow.

In a brief question-and-answer session with reporters, Trump said Erdogan could have considerable influence over the conflict if he chooses to exercise it. 'The best thing he could do is not buy oil and gas from Russia,' Trump said. 'If he did that, that would be the best thing.' He added that Erdogan is respected by both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which, in Trump’s view, could enable him to help broker an outcome if he wants to.

The two leaders also touched on the practicalities of a potential deal, with Trump saying that sanctions against Turkey—first imposed in 2020 after the S-400 purchase—could be lifted 'very soon' if the talks progress positively. 'If we have a good meeting, almost immediately,' he said, signaling optimism but offering no guarantees.

The White House meeting comes against a backdrop of ongoing tensions over Turkey’s foreign policy and military activities. Erdogan has voiced frustration with the F-35 ban, characterizing it as incongruent with a strategic partnership. In a separate interview this week, Erdogan said that the ban did not reflect the seriousness of the alliance, underscoring the political dimension of Ankara’s bid to resume or expand defense cooperation with Washington.

Experts note that the current moment is shaped by competing pressures on both sides. Washington wants to deter Russia by tightening energy and arms constraints, while also maintaining Ankara’s cooperation on regional security issues, including matters related to Syria, Greece, and broader NATO defense planning. Turkey, for its part, has pursued a diversified energy strategy and has shown willingness to engage with Moscow on energy and security matters even as it seeks alignment with Washington on certain high-profile defense purchases.

lawmakers in the United States have voiced concerns about Turkey’s military activities and its relationship with Russia. In Congress, the bipartisan Hellenic Caucus warned against allowing Turkey to re-enter the F-35 program given its co-operation with Russia and reported violations of international norms. These concerns underscore the political complexity of any potential F-35 sale, which would require careful congressional and interagency review in addition to executive-level decisions.

The White House meeting reflects a broader American effort to press partners to reduce Moscow’s leverage by cutting energy revenues while maintaining alliance cohesion on shared security challenges. Erdogan’s agenda at the talks also demonstrates Ankara’s strategy of leveraging strategic partnerships to secure concessions on defense procurement and regional influence, particularly as it navigates tensions with Greece, Syria, and its own domestic political pressures.

Analysts caution that while high-level diplomacy can signal intent, concrete outcomes depend on a sequence of approvals and verifications that span multiple government departments and international partners. The path to resuming F-35 sales to Turkey remains laden with technical, political, and regional considerations, including Turkish actions in Syria and ongoing disputes over Greek airspace.

As the dialogue continues, both sides have indicated a willingness to keep channels open. Erdogan acknowledged that there is 'a lot of work to do' before any major decision on F-35s or sanctions can be made, and Trump suggested that if meetings yield productive results, progress could be announced soon. The geopolitical stakes remain high as Washington seeks to constrain Russia while maintaining a cohesive NATO alliance and supporting long-standing strategic partnerships in the region.