ANKARA, Turkey — President Donald Trump reiterated on Tuesday that the United States should control Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory, during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a NATO summit in Ankara. Trump described Greenland as "an important part" for the U.S. and claimed, without evidence, that the island is surrounded by Chinese and Russian ships. He stated he would not allow Greenland to be threatened and asserted that control should belong to the United States rather than Denmark.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, founded on the principle of mutual defense among its 32 member countries, opposes any threats to the sovereignty of allied territories. Trump’s remarks on Greenland revived tensions with European allies, even as leaders at the summit worked to address another long-standing complaint from the U.S. president — that European NATO members underinvest in their defense budgets. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighted the alliance’s efforts to showcase new arms deals and defense projects worth billions of dollars aimed at improving military capabilities across the bloc.
Separately, Trump announced the U.S. would lift sanctions imposed on Turkey following Ankara’s 2019 purchase of a Russian S-400 missile defense system. This acquisition had previously led to Turkey’s removal from the F-35 fighter jet program and strained relations within NATO. Trump emphasized that his administration was working with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on removing those sanctions.
Trump also indicated a willingness to consider selling F-35 jets to Turkey, citing the close relationship between the two countries. “Turkey’s been, in many ways, much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal,” he said. Erdogan, expressing optimism about the potential sale, praised the U.S. president for standing by his word. Their meeting included a ceremonial display with Turkish military officials and jets emitting red, white, and blue smoke.
However, Turkey’s potential reacquisition of F-35 aircraft remained controversial. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly urged Trump not to proceed with the sale, warning that it could threaten Israel’s security. Netanyahu described the transfer as “not a force for peace and stability” and expressed concerns about increased aggression.
U.S. lawmakers from both parties have also voiced opposition to selling F-35s to Turkey while it retains the Russian S-400 systems. Even if sanctions are lifted, U.S. legal restrictions linked to the missile defense purchase would continue to prevent Turkey from acquiring these advanced jets unless it divests from the Russian technology.
Meanwhile, at the NATO summit, Rutte emphasized ongoing investments in defense modernization, including a deal for Swedish manufacturer Saab to supply up to 10 GlobalEye surveillance aircraft to a consortium of 10 European nations. The projects are partly financed through the European Union’s defense funding mechanisms, reflecting efforts to bolster collective military capabilities.
As the summit unfolded, Trump’s statements on Greenland and Turkey underscored ongoing challenges within the alliance, balancing defense cooperation with divergent national interests and geopolitical sensitivities.