ANKARA (VINnews) – President Donald Trump received a warm welcome from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday as he arrived in Ankara, where the two leaders highlighted close U.S.-Turkey ties and discussed defense cooperation.

Erdoğan waited on a blue carpet beside Air Force One, shaking Trump’s hand as he stepped off the aircraft. Trump briefly squeezed Erdoğan’s shoulder before the two posed for photographs. Wearing sunglasses in the bright sun, Erdoğan later guided Trump by the arm as they walked together to inspect an honor guard of Turkish troops.

The leaders did not take questions during the arrival ceremony, though Trump was overheard speaking with Erdoğan and first lady Emine Erdoğan about the aircraft now serving as Air Force One.

Later, Trump praised Turkey’s military, calling it “a very powerful country militarily” under Erdoğan’s leadership and saying, “People don’t know how powerful they actually are. They have great soldiers.” Turkey has NATO’s second-largest standing military after the United States.

Trump also praised Ankara’s relationship with Washington, saying Turkey “has been very, very good” and “extraordinary in many ways” despite concerns raised by some over its ties with Israel. He added that Turkey “could’ve gotten into the fight on the other side” but did not elaborate.

Asked whether the United States would consider selling Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Turkey despite existing legal restrictions, Trump replied, “Why wouldn’t we do that? Turkey in many ways has been much more loyal than other countries than we think would be loyal. It’s certainly something we’d consider.”

Trump lavishes praise on Erdogan on Turkey: "I hear some people saying about their relationship with Israel. They could've gotten into the fight on the other side. They are a nation that's been very very good. They've been extraordinary in many ways which respect to our… pic.twitter.com/O0VI4C5Zp8

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 7, 2026