WASHINGTON D.C-The State Department has told Congress that Turkey has not satisfied the legal conditions required to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program, even as President Donald Trump has signaled willingness to lift sanctions and consider selling the advanced aircraft to the NATO ally.

In a July 22 letter obtained by the Greek newspaper Kathimerini and reported by multiple outlets, the department said U.S. law prohibits transferring F-35 aircraft to Turkey until Ankara no longer possesses the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system or associated equipment, provides assurances it will not acquire the system again, and meets remaining certification requirements set by Congress.

“Turkey has not yet met these conditions,” the letter stated. It was prepared by the State Department’s Bureau of Legislative Affairs on behalf of the White House in response to an inquiry from Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Mo.

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The finding came weeks after Trump stood alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the NATO summit in Ankara in early July and said his administration would lift sanctions imposed over the S-400 purchase and that selling F-35s was “certainly something we will consider.”

Asked about Turkey’s continued possession of the Russian system, Trump said he had “no concerns about anything having to do with Turkey.” He described relations with Ankara as better than ever and called Turkey “much more loyal” than some other countries. Erdoğan expressed confidence that Trump would keep his promises.

Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing the S-400 from Russia. The United States later imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. U.S. officials have long argued that operating the Russian system alongside the F-35 could allow Moscow to gather sensitive data on the stealth aircraft.

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The State Department letter noted ongoing discussions with Ankara aimed at resolving the S-400 issue and said any agreement must be “transparent, lawful, and consistent with U.S. national security interests.” It also credited Turkey with supporting U.S. diplomatic efforts involving Russia and Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Armenia, Gaza, and counter-ISIS operations, while reiterating concerns about Hamas’ use of financial networks in Turkey.

The gap between Trump’s personal diplomacy and the statutory barriers sets up potential friction among the administration, Congress, and a NATO ally that maintains ties to Russia, Hamas, and Chinese telecommunications firms. A bipartisan group of House members has urged leaders to block any sale under current conditions.

A State Department spokesperson said Trump recognizes Turkey’s strategic importance and that the administration continues to encourage Ankara to resolve pending issues. Turkey remains a valued NATO ally, the spokesperson added.

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The State Department and Turkish Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the latest reporting.