NATO Reaffirms Article 5 in 6-Point Statement as Allies Brace for Trump Friction

Q: How can Turkey rejoin the F-35 program while still possessing the Russian S-400 system?

Turkey cannot legally rejoin the F-35 program while it still possesses the Russian S-400 system. The core obstacle is U.S. law, not just politics. Section 1245 of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act bars F-35 transfers to Turkey unless the U.S. administration certifies to Congress that Turkey no longer possesses the S-400, has removed related equipment and personnel, and has given credible assurances it will not acquire similar Russian systems again. CAATSA sanctions can be lifted by the administration, but that alone does not reopen the F-35 program. The reason is the security risk. U.S. officials and lawmakers argue that operating the S-400 alongside the F-35 could expose sensitive data about the jet’s stealth and mission systems to Russia. For that reason, proposals such as keeping the S-400 “boxed up” in Turkey have generally been treated in Washington as insufficient. If Ankara wants a path back, it would need a verifiable disposal or transfer arrangement that ends Turkish possession and operability of the S-400. One option discussed in policy circles is sending the system to a third country or otherwise removing it from Turkish control, followed by formal U.S. certification to Congress. Even then, reentry would not be automatic. Congress would remain influential, and broader concerns about Turkey’s regional policies and alliance behavior could still complicate any return. But as long as Turkey keeps the S-400, the legal answer is straightforward: no F-35s.

3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 8

A six-point draft summit statement reaffirmed NATO’s Article 5 mutual-defense pledge, labeled Russia a long-term threat and said Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.
Trump’s angry entrance tempered expectations for the meeting, with allies aiming for a short, low-drama summit after clashes over defense spending marked his earlier NATO appearances.
Mette Frederiksen said Denmark’s position on Greenland “is not going to happen,” while stressing Copenhagen still wants broader U.S. cooperation in the Arctic.
Some officials still cast Trump’s attendance as reassurance, saying his presence at the leaders’ summit and support for Ukraine helped preserve positive momentum.