The lifting of US CAATSA sanctions has emerged as a central priority for Ankara in its relations with Washington, according to Turkish media and analysts, as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan seeks to reset ties with the United States while showcasing Turkey’s energy and defence achievements for 2025.
Turkish press reports said the issue featured prominently following a recent telephone call between Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump. Pro-government Hürriyet columnist Abdulkadir Selvi described the conversation as “productive” and suggested that concrete steps could follow within the first quarter of the year.
According to these reports, the agenda includes the possible lifting of CAATSA sanctions, Turkey’s access to US fighter jet programmes such as the F-16 and F-35, the Halkbank court case in the United States, the role of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria, and broader regional issues.
Falling behind Greece and Israel
CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions were imposed on Turkey in 2020 following Ankara’s purchase of the Russian-made S-400 air defence system, barring it from the F-35 programme and restricting defence cooperation. Analysts quoted in Turkish media describe their removal as critical for Turkey’s defence industry and assess that bilateral relations may move forward under a framework of “controlled coordination”.
Turkey’s opposition broadly agrees on the importance of lifting the sanctions but blames the government for triggering them through the S-400 purchase. Reports in Cumhuriyet cited figures from the main opposition the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the nationalist İYİ (Good) Party warning of a “security gap” and claiming an imbalance in air power vis-à-vis Greece and Israel.
Navigating geopolitical tensions
Against this backdrop, Erdoğan on Wednesday presented a broad review of his government’s actions for 2025, arguing that Turkey successfully navigated a period marked by international crises and heightened geopolitical tension without harming national interests.
Addressing his party’s parliamentary group, the Turkish president referred to wars in Ukraine and Gaza, attacks on Iran, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, and Turkey’s relations with the United States, Europe and the wider Turkic world. He warned of intensifying global competition over energy resources, critical minerals and trade corridors, saying the global economy is entering a period of sharper confrontation.
In the energy sector, Erdoğan announced the discovery of 75 billion cubic metres of natural gas in the Black Sea, an increase in daily oil production at the Gabar field to 81,000 barrels, and the signing of liquefied natural gas agreements totalling 155 billion cubic metres. He also referred to the start of gas flows through the Turkey-Syria pipeline and a gas connection to Nakhchivan via Turkey.
$10 billion in defence exports in 2025
Defence industry developments featured prominently in his remarks. Erdoğan said defence exports exceeded $10 billion in 2025, citing among other milestones an agreement with Spain for the sale of 30 Hürjet training aircraft, the first delivery of the Altay main battle tank to the Turkish Armed Forces, tests of the Tayfun ballistic missile, and progress on the ‘Steel Dome’ air defence system.
He also highlighted cooperation with Indonesia on the Kaan fighter jet, the entry into service of the Türksat 6A satellite, the start of construction of Turkey’s national submarine Milden, and the delivery of new ships, submarines and unmanned naval systems.
Erdoğan argued that recent tests of advanced weapons and space systems strengthened Turkey’s international standing, sending what he described as a message of deterrence and technological progress.
Source: CNA