US: Trump Says He Could Lift Sanctions On Turkey "Almost Immediately"

US President Donald Trump told reporters that he wants Turkey to “stop buying Russian oil”. Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Oval Office, Trump said, “We’ve had tremendous relationships, both having to do with war and with trade. I guess today we’re talking about both. I’d like to have him stop buying any oil from Russia while Russia continues its rampage against Ukraine…”

• Trump repeats an assertion from his Truth Social post earlier this week that the Russian economy is “absolutely terrible”. Adds, “Putin ought to stop”.
• Trump notes that he intends to do “additional trade” and discuss tariffs with Turkey. Says the pair will talk about F-16s and the F-35 programme that Ankara was excluded from in 2019 for buying Russian air defence systems.
• Trump notes they will discuss selling Turkey Patriot missile systems, suggesting Erdogan will be “successful” in buying the things he wants to buy, including F-35s. Note: Such a transfer, seen as crucial to rolling back defence sector sanctions on Turkey, will require US Congressional authorisation. Asked when he could lift sanctions, Trump says it “could be very soon. If we have a good meeting, almost immediately.”
• Trump avoids a question on imposing fresh sanctions on Russia. Says “we’re going to be seeing about that” and notes that his administration is “selling a tremendous amount of military equipment to NATO” which he “assumes” is going to Ukraine. He adds that NATO is paying “full price” and that’s how the US is involved in the war.