Turkey Pins Hopes on Trump to Solve S-400 Spat and Buy F-35s
- Bid to be freed from sanctions over Russian air defense system
- Communicating a willingness to restrict use of S-400 system
A rocket launches from a S-400 missile system in Russia.
Photographer: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
After waiting years for action from President Joe Biden, Turkey is pinning its hopes on President-elect Donald Trump to free it from sanctions over its use of a Russian air defense system.
The president could ask Congress to waive legislation that effectively cut off Turkey’s top defense procurement agency from US financial institutions, military hardware and technology. That would allow Turkey to buy fifth-generation F-35 jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp., ensure its military can operate in sync with other members of the NATO alliance and bolster deterrence in its southeastern flank.