Turkey is prepared to purchase up to $20 billion in U.S. military equipment if Washington agrees to lift sanctions imposed over Ankara’s acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in an interview with CNN Türk on Wednesday.
The proposed deal, which includes spare parts, electronics, and ammunition, marks a significant overture by Ankara to repair defense ties with the United States. Relations have remained tense since 2020, when the U.S. imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and expelled Turkey from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program following its purchase of the Russian system.
Fidan noted that either President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan could travel to Washington or U.S. President Donald Trump could include Turkey in his upcoming Middle East tour, which already features Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. According to CNN, senior White House officials are exploring the possibility of adding Ankara to the itinerary.
Trump’s recent public praise of Erdoğan—delivered in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—has drawn attention in both Ankara and Washington. Some analysts believe the former president could respond positively to Turkey’s offer, given his past willingness to bypass Congress on arms sales, particularly when dealing with allies such as Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Turkey’s proposed arms purchase is widely seen as part of a broader push to restore military and political ties with the U.S. after years of friction over Syria, NATO cooperation, and Ankara’s defense relationship with Moscow.
U.S. officials have not publicly commented on the proposal or confirmed any changes to Trump’s travel plans.
