A brief gesture from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the NATO summit has gone viral on social media after Washington announced plans to lift sanctions on Türkiye.
Videos circulating online show Erdogan pointing towards the female interpreter, giving a thumbs-up and appearing with a slight smile moments after Trump said the U.S. would remove sanctions imposed under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The footage has been widely shared as a sign of the diplomatic thaw between the two NATO allies.
WATCH: The moment Turkish President Erdogan heard Trump was going to lift the CAATSA sanctions on Türkiye.pic.twitter.com/67dHeFFfk5
— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 7, 2026
Speaking alongside Erdogan, Trump said his administration had decided to remove the sanctions.
"We're working closely with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials. We have decided that the sanctions should be lifted, and we believe now is the right time to remove them."
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He also said, "We're going to be taking the sanctions off... We don't want to sanction friends."
The announcement followed by Erdogan's gesture prompted widespread discussion on X.
One user wrote, "This could strain relations between the US and Israel a little more."
Another user, Peace Maker, said, "If the reported reaction is genuine, it reflects how significant the possible lifting of CAATSA sanctions would be for Turkey. It could mark a major step toward improving U.S.-Turkey relations, easing years of defense tensions, and potentially reopening deeper cooperation within NATO. The real impact, however, will depend on the final policy decisions and how both countries follow through."
A third user commented, "That reaction is honestly priceless. Wonder how this will actually play out long term."
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump said the U.S. is also reviewing legal restrictions that have prevented Turkiye from rejoining the F-35 fighter jet programme.
"We're going to make a decision," Trump said, adding that Washington would consider allowing the sale of the advanced aircraft.
Erdogan expressed confidence that Turkiye would secure the fighter jets, citing an existing commitment for five aircraft. Trump also said the U.S. would support the maintenance of engines for aircraft previously purchased by Turkiye from American defence contractors.
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Dismissing concerns over Turkiye's acquisition of Russian missile defence systems, Trump said, "I don't have concerns about anything."
The U.S. president described current ties with Turkiye as stronger than ever and praised Erdogan's leadership, saying, "Sometimes you get along with the toughest people, like him."
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