Washington had slapped restrictions on Ankara over an S-400 deal with Russia

The US is relaxing sanctions on Türkiye's defense industry and has approved a major arms deal, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced.

In 2020, Washington imposed restrictions on Ankara under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) in response to Türkiye's purchase of Russia's S-400 air defense missile system. Ankara repeatedly rejected calls to abandon the deal with Moscow, insisting on its sovereign right to choose its weapons suppliers.

"We can safely say that CAATSA sanctions are being eased," Erdogan told reporters on Saturday, after returning from the European Political Community summit in Albania. He added that he had spoken with the new American ambassador to Türkiye, Tom Barrack.

"With my friend Trump taking office, we reached a more open, more constructive, more sincere communication," he said.

The easing of restrictions coincides with US approval of a potential missile sale worth over $300 million - a move Erdogan described as a step toward removing remaining barriers between the two NATO allies. "As two major NATO allies, there should be no defense restrictions," he said.

During a phone call in March, Erdogan urged Trump to lift the sanctions, finalize a $23 billion deal for 40 F-16 fighter jets, and reinstate Türkiye in the F-35 fighter jet program. Ankara was removed from the project in 2019 over concerns that the Russian-made S-400 system could compromise the jet's security. Trump is reportedly open to Türkiye's return, provided the S-400 system is dismantled or relocated to a US-controlled base.

Erdogan and Trump recently held another call, during which they discussed Syria, Gaza, and efforts to end the Ukraine conflict. Trump, who previously described his relationship with Erdogan as "excellent," called the conversation "very good and productive."

Türkiye hosted the first direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations in three years on Friday in Istanbul, during which the two sides agreed to a large prisoner swap.

(RT.com)