Fidan, Rubio Signal Defense Breakthrough in Washington Talks

Sources suggest Fidan pressed for swift action to lift the sanctions and reevaluate Turkey’s exclusion from the F-35 initiative, key priorities for Ankara. Last week, U.S. media reported Trump had instructed aides to explore options for easing CAATSA penalties, a topic likely central to the ministers’ talks. Should F-35 sales resume, Rubio would need to notify Congress, signaling a potential thaw in defense ties.

Both sides expressed a firm political will to resolve defense cooperation hurdles, with plans for technical talks to address existing disputes, the sources said. 

The meeting followed up on issues raised in a March 16 phone call between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump, described by the White House as “excellent” and “transformative.”

It marked the first official visit by a Turkish official to Washington for bilateral talks since Trump took office on Jan. 20, 2025. Sources expect the Fidan-Rubio discussions to kickstart progress on long-stalled issues between the two nations.

Fidan and Rubio also emphasized the importance of engaging with the Syrian government.

"Both sides emphasized the importance of engaging with the Syrian government and expressed their determination to stabilize Syria and combat terrorism," the sources said.

Fidan and Rubio discussed a range of other regional and bilateral matters, including the need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, which was deemed essential for regional peace, sources told Anadolu Agency.

The two sides also spoke on efforts to achieve a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, with Turkey expressing support for recent U.S. efforts in this regard.

Discussions also covered the ongoing peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s stability for the broader Balkan region.

Erdoğan’s chief adviser, Akif Çağatay Kılıç, was also in Washington, and he held discussions with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz at the White House.

Kılıç’s meeting with Waltz covered bilateral relations, regional challenges, and preparations for an upcoming Erdoğan-Trump summit. The talks underscore a renewed push to strengthen Turkey-U.S. ties for the upcoming period.

Source: HDN