25.09.2025 19:31
President Erdoğan and U.S. President Trump met at the White House for a historic meeting after 6 years. Responding to reporters' questions in the Oval Office, Trump stated, "If the meeting goes well, we could lift the CAATSA sanctions on Turkey. This could happen at any moment."
The world's eyes are on the meeting between President Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump. President Erdoğan, who came to the White House after 6 years for this historic summit, was personally welcomed at the door by Trump.
TRUMP: I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR ERDOĞAN
Before the critical meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump stated to the press, "We will discuss the F-16 and F-35 issues in the meeting. I have great respect for President Erdoğan. It is a great honor to host him here."
ERDOĞAN: WE WILL DISCUSS THE F-16 AND F-35 ISSUES IN DETAIL
Following Trump, President Erdoğan stated, "First of all, we are very happy to have realized this visit during a period intertwined with the UN General Assembly. We are experiencing a different process in Turkey-U.S. relations both in the first term of Mr. Trump and in the second term. As he just expressed, I believe we will have the opportunity to discuss in detail the F-35 issue, the F-16 issue, and the relations regarding Halkbank today. Regarding the Heybeliada School, we are ready to do whatever is necessary. On the way back, I will have the opportunity to discuss the matter with Mr. Bartholomeos."
TRUMP: WE CAN LIFT SANCTIONS AT ANY MOMENT
After the initial statements, questions from journalists were taken. In response to the question of when he plans to lift CAATSA sanctions, Trump said, "If we have a good meeting, it could happen at any moment."
RESPONSE TO THE GAZA QUESTION: "HOSTAGE"
In response to a question about whether he and Erdoğan share the same views on Gaza, Trump said, "I don't know that right now. We want to end the war in Gaza. We have also spoken with the leaders of that region, and we had a great meeting. At this point, we are trying to come up with some sort of solution, but we are also trying to bring back the hostages. But it seems that there are 20 living and 38 dead hostages. It is truly sad. The only thing their families want is to receive the lifeless bodies of their children. I believe we are close to an agreement with the strongest leaders in the Middle East."
"WE ARE TALKING ABOUT F-35s"
The U.S. President stated regarding the sale of F-35s to Turkey, "We are talking about fighter jets for Turkey, yes. We are discussing this."
"THERE COULD BE A STEP TODAY REGARDING GAZA AND PALESTINE"
In response to the question, "Will there be any step regarding Gaza and Palestine?" Trump replied, "Yes, it could happen today. We have a very strong dialogue on this issue. We have spoken with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. We had a great meeting. Many decisions were made at the meeting. Of course, I also need to talk to Israel. They know what I want."
WHAT IS CAATSA SANCTION?
Meanwhile, following U.S. President Trump's signal to lift sanctions against Turkey before the meeting, the components of CAATSA sanctions have also become a topic of curiosity.
The U.S. had decided on CAATSA sanctions against Turkey in 2021, citing Turkey's purchase of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia.
IMPLEMENTED DURING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
Turkey had tested the S-400 missiles it received from Russia but had not activated them. U.S. President Donald Trump had prevented the implementation of CAATSA sanctions against Turkey. However, the sanctions were implemented during the Biden administration.
The sanctions included the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), SSB President İsmail Demir, SSB Vice President Faruk Yiğit, Air Defense and Space Department Head Serhat Gençoğlu, and SSB Air Defense and Space Department Group Manager Mustafa Alper Deniz.
With the CAATSA sanctions enacted in 2017, the SSB would not be able to obtain export licenses from the U.S., nor would it be able to benefit from loans from the U.S. and related international financial institutions. The assets of individuals on the sanctions list would also be frozen in the U.S., and visa restrictions would be imposed on these individuals.
Additionally, 12 different types of sanctions are applied under CAATSA. These include cutting off export-import bank support to sanctioned individuals and institutions, prohibiting loans from U.S. and international financial institutions, not allowing financial institutions to conduct direct transactions with the U.S. Federal Reserve, and banning transactions in foreign currency.