WASHINGTON, D.C. Sept 25, 2025 – President Donald Trump welcomed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the White House on Thursday, September 25, 2025, for their first bilateral meeting in six years, signaling a potential reset in U.S.-Turkey relations. The high-stakes talks focused on defense cooperation, energy policy, and regional stability, with Trump pressing Erdogan to halt Turkey’s imports of Russian oil amid the ongoing Ukraine war.
The meeting, held against the backdrop of a gilded White House backdrop, highlighted Trump’s call for Turkey to sever energy ties with Moscow, a move he described as crucial to countering Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “We’ve been friends for a long time… We’re going to get a lot done,” Trump said, expressing optimism about the discussions. This aligns with recent U.S. efforts to rally European nations to cut Russian oil purchases, a strategy aimed at pressuring Moscow economically.
A central topic was Turkey’s long-standing exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program, which began in 2019 after Ankara acquired Russian S-400 defense systems, prompting U.S. sanctions. Trump hinted at a possible lifting of these sanctions, stating, “If we have a good meeting, almost immediately,” and suggesting Turkey could soon resume purchases of advanced F-35s. This follows the U.S. approval of a $23 billion F-16 sale to Turkey in January 2024, contingent on Turkey’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership, indicating a pathway for further defense collaboration.
Erdogan’s visit, his first since 2019, reflects a thaw in relations strained by past disputes over Syria and NATO dynamics. The Turkish leader’s role as a mediator in Russia-Ukraine grain exports was likely a key discussion point, with Trump exploring energy partnerships to reduce Russian influence. The two leaders also touched on trade growth and regional issues, including Gaza and Syria, where Turkey’s support for the new Syrian government has aligned with U.S. interests.