Turkey and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic civil nuclear cooperation on Thursday (September 25), Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said, during President Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the White House, Reuters reports.
"We initiated a new process that will further deepen the deep-rooted and multidimensional partnership between Turkey and the United States in the field of nuclear energy," Bayraktar said on Turkish social media after signing the accord.
Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump said Turkey may halt its purchases of Russian oil following talks with Erdogan, potentially signaling a shift in Ankara's energy policy.
"I believe he will stop it," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, referring to Erdogan's decision on Russian oil purchases. The meeting also raised prospects for lifting sanctions on Turkey and resuming sales of U.S. F-35 fighter jets, contingent on Ankara's cooperation.
Erdogan's first visit to the White House in six years began with a warm reception from Trump, who described him as a "very tough man" and emphasized their personal friendship. The visit comes as Ankara seeks to strengthen ties with a U.S. administration open to negotiating major arms and trade deals.
Trump urged Erdogan to cut oil imports from Russia as part of broader efforts to weaken Moscow's funding for its war in Ukraine. Turkey remains one of the largest European buyers of Russian oil, alongside Hungary and Slovakia.
Asked about the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, Trump said, "I think he'll be successful in buying the things that he wants to buy," adding that sanctions could be lifted "very soon" if talks proceed favorably.
Under the Biden administration, U.S.-Turkey relations had cooled due to Ankara's ties with Russia. Trump's return to office appears to signal a thaw, with both leaders aligning on key issues, including support for the central government in Syria.
Turkey, a NATO ally, hopes the renewed relationship will yield economic and strategic benefits, leveraging Trump's focus on deal-making over ideological differences.
