The Turkish president, returning from a meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump in New York, expressed confidence that Turkey could rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program and eventually acquire American military aircraft. Speaking to Turkish journalists before his return flight, he said that Trump had shown a "positive will" regarding Turkey's return to the program and that the country was now waiting for "concrete measures." The president added, "I am confident that we will achieve results." Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has long sought to purchase F-35 fighter jets, which are considered among the most advanced in the world. However, the U.S. has blocked this effort since Turkey purchased the Russian S-400 anti-missile defense system in 2017. In response, the United States excluded Turkey from the F-35 program in 2019 and imposed sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) the following year. These actions have strained relations between the two countries, despite both being NATO allies. The Turkish president noted that relations with Trump had "given a new impetus" to Turkish-American ties, adding that cooperation between the two nations had advanced more than under the previous U.S. administration. This sentiment reflects a broader effort by Ankara to mend ties with Washington, especially after years of diplomatic and military tensions. Recent reports from Turkish and international sources suggest that Turkey is determined to rid itself of the S-400 system, possibly by selling it to another country. However, such a move would require approval from Russia, the original seller of the system. This remains a complex issue that could influence future discussions between Turkey and the United States regarding the F-35 program and broader defense cooperation.