US Envoy Hopes Trump and Erdogan Will Settle Turkiye Arms Sanctions Dispute in 2025

US Envoy Expects Trump and Erdogan to Resolve Defense Sanctions on Turkiye by Year-End.

The United States ambassador to Turkiye has expressed optimism that Presidents Donald Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdogan will reach a resolution on long-standing U.S. defense sanctions against Ankara by the end of the year.

In an interview with the state-run Anadolu Agency, Ambassador Thomas Barrack stated that both leaders are expected to instruct their respective top diplomats to work toward a settlement. The sanctions, imposed in 2020 under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), were triggered by Turkiye’s acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system.

“In my view, President Trump and President Erdogan will direct Secretary [Marco] Rubio and Foreign Minister [Hakan] Fidan to resolve this issue. A solution is possible before the year ends,” Barrack was quoted as saying on Sunday.

The CAATSA measures also led to Turkiye’s expulsion from the F-35 fighter jet program, where it had participated as both a buyer and parts manufacturer. Since Trump’s return to the White House, diplomatic ties between Washington and Ankara have reportedly improved. Turkiye maintains that its removal from the F-35 program was unfair and continues to seek either reinstatement or financial compensation.

“We believe there’s a significant opportunity now, with two leaders who have mutual trust and a willingness to move forward,” Barrack said. In addition to serving as U.S. envoy to Turkiye, Barrack also holds the role of special envoy for Syria.