US President Donald Trump left open the possibility of Turkey acquiring F-35 fighter jets after his meeting at the White House on Thursday -the first since 2019- with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

By law, Turkey is barred from obtaining the American aircraft because it possesses the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system.

This “opening” has sparked concerns in Washington, as operating the F-35s alongside the S-400 could allow the system to collect sensitive data, potentially ending up in Russian hands.

One reported condition for Ankara’s access to the F-35 program is halting its purchases of Russian oil.

In the past, Congress has repeatedly blocked Ankara’s attempts to access the F-35 program, arguing that Turkey does not meet the necessary security requirements to transfer and operate the jets.

One of the conditions reportedly raised by Trump was that Turkey halt its purchases of Russian oil, though it remains unclear whether Ankara agreed to such a commitment during Thursday’s meeting.

Since January 2023, Turkey has imported over $90 billion worth of Russian oil, coal, and natural gas, placing it just behind China and India on the list of Moscow’s top energy buyers.

Other topics discussed at the White House included Turkey’s human rights record and its strained relations with Israel, which have worsened over the wars in Gaza and Syria.