After years of tension, Minister Fidan visits Washington to address easing CAATSA restrictions and revitalising Türkiye’s involvement in the F-35s.
On 25–26 March, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will undertake an official visit to the United States, therefore marking a momentous diplomatic event in Türkiye-US ties. This trip marks the first high-level interaction with Washington since the Trump government took office and coincides with fresh discussion on European security and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Fidan will see US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top American officials on his trip to Washington D.C. Strategic moves in bilateral ties and preparations for a presidential-level meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Donald Trump will occupy the agenda. On March 16, Erdoğan reiterated his plan to visit the US shortly in their first phone contact. Fidan and Rubio met on February 14, 2025.
The US-imposed CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Penalties Act) penalties and Türkiye’s possible re-engagement with the F-35 fighter jet program will be the main topics of the conversations. After obtaining the Russian-made S-400 air defence system, Türkiye was kicked off the international program, and six procured F-35A aircraft were never delivered.
According to diplomatic sources, Minister Fidan is expected to stress the importance of lifting CAATSA sanctions and re-opening dialogue regarding Türkiye’s return to the F-35 programme. While Washington, under the Biden administration, had demanded that the S-400 systems be completely removed from Turkish soil, recent signals from US officials suggest a possible softening of that stance. The precise implications of these signals may become clearer during Fidan’s meetings.
One may see the visit’s timing as absolutely vital. It aligns with growing initiatives to bring about peace in Ukraine and debates on European security architecture reconstruction. Türkiye’s position as a regional actor and NATO ally is thus probably going to be very important in the negotiations.
Fidan and Rubio met personally on February 14 in Munich, and the basis for the forthcoming Washington negotiations is likely to be strengthened by their initial meeting. Furthermore expected to be addressed are more general bilateral issues like Türkiye’s acquisition of forty additional F-16 fighter planes—approved by Washington following the F-35 fiasco. Turkiye may bring the procurement of F-35As instead of F-16 Vipers to the discussion table.
This visit might be a reset chance, providing a road for Ankara and Washington to adjust their strained military-industrial relations.
