Breaking News... Trump's F-35 statement: 'We will make a decision'

US President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara to hold official talks as part of the NATO Summit hosted by Turkey. Following the landing of the Air Force One aircraft carrying Trump at Ankara Airport, an official welcoming ceremony was held by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

After the welcoming program, the two leaders moved to the Presidential Complex to continue their discussions.

FIRST MEETING HELD AT THE AIRPORT

The first contact between President Erdoğan and US President Trump took place at Ankara Airport.

Following the official welcoming ceremony, Erdoğan and Trump held meetings at the Presidential Complex, first one-on-one and then between delegations.

It was reported that the main agenda items of the NATO Summit, bilateral relations between Turkey and the US, and regional developments were discussed during the meetings.

F-35 MESSAGE FROM TRUMP

During the meeting at the Presidential Complex, US President Donald Trump made a statement regarding the F-35 fighter jet program.

In his assessment of the matter, Trump used the expression, "We will make a decision regarding the F-35s."

HIGH-LEVEL US DELEGATION IN ANKARA

A large US delegation accompanied Donald Trump during his Ankara visit.

The delegation included White House Deputy Chiefs of Staff Dan Scavino and Stephen Miller, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, US Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

The US delegation also included advisors Mike Needham, Will Scharf, Ross Worthington, Walt Nauta, Chris Ambrosini, Richard Walters, and Natalie Harp.

NATO AGENDA AND BILATERAL RELATIONS DISCUSSED

In the meeting between President Erdoğan and US President Trump, in addition to the agenda items of the NATO Summit, Turkey-US relations and regional developments were also evaluated.

President Erdoğan and US President Trump made statements before the meeting. Highlights from President Erdoğan's remarks are as follows:

"I would like to express how important this visit is. The fact that the NATO Leaders' Summit is being held in Ankara today, and that all leaders are currently gathered in our country, and being with my dear friend Mr. Trump tomorrow will add strength to us. I welcome him once again."

"I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN"

US President Trump made a statement before the meeting:

"The airport was very beautiful, the roads were wonderful. You are a very good leader. Under your leadership, this country has become a very strong country. It is a country that must definitely be taken into account. I have great respect for the President. Today we will talk about trade and many other issues. We will do great things."

TRUMP: WE NEED TO MAKE THE F-35 DECISION

The US President responded to the question, "Have you made a decision about Turkey regarding the F-35s?" as follows:

"Why not? We need to make the F-35 decision. We will definitely evaluate it."

Speaking on the NATO question, Trump said:

"NATO had actually disappointed me greatly; in fact, if the summit were not in Turkey, I might not have attended the summit. But I thought I should attend, I thought I should come to Turkey; it is a very strong leader. We have contributed a lot to NATO to protect European countries. I said okay, no problem, but I thought they would be willing to support us."

"WE HAVE TRUMP'S WORD FOR THE F-35s"

President Erdoğan responded to the question regarding Turkey-US relations as follows:

"The F-35 issue is not a new issue for us. We have discussed this with the US before. We have received the word for all five aircraft, and Mr. Trump also has a promise. I know that at this leaders' summit, we are testing the promise we previously received from them regarding the F-35s in a positive way for the future. Mr. Trump always stands behind his word on this matter. I believe a favorable decision will come out of the leaders' summit."

"OUR RELATIONS WITH TURKEY HAVE NEVER BEEN BETTER"

US President Trump stated, "I can say that our relations with Turkey are better than they have ever been right now."

The main agenda of the two leaders' meeting is expected to be Turkey-US relations, the F-35s, KAAN fighter jet engines, Syria, Iran, Gaza, and the defense industry.

US President Trump became the first US President to visit Turkey as part of an official visit in 17 years.

News Source: 12punto