At the Antalya Forum, US Ambassador Tom Barrack said he believes the S-400 issue will be resolved soon. He noted that, from Donald Trump’s perspective, Turkey’s participation in the F-35 program is acceptable, while Greece possesses both S-300 systems and F-35 aircraft.

The ambassador avoided commenting on Greek–Turkish relations, humorously saying he did not want to risk being “banned from going to Mykonos again.”

Barrack had made similar remarks in December 2025, predicting a solution within 4–6 months.

Some in Turkey have expressed dissatisfaction with his statements, considering that he intervenes in matters of state policy.

Regarding Turkey’s efforts to rejoin the F-35 program—which is closely linked to the Russian S-400 missile system it still possesses—Barrack spoke at the Antalya Forum. He linked Turkey’s aspirations to Greece, which “has S-300s and F-35s,” as he said, while choosing not to comment on Greek–Turkish relations.

“I think the S-400 issue will be resolved soon. From my boss’s perspective (Donald Trump), joining the F-35 program is fine. Greece has S-300s and F-35s. As for the Greece–Turkey issue, it’s another historical issue I won’t even attempt to address, because they’ll ban me from going to Mykonos again,” he said jokingly.

He also recalled that in December 2025 in Doha, he had suggested that Turkey might remove its S-400 systems in order to return to the F-35 program, saying he believed these issues would be resolved within 4–6 months.

Last September, during President Erdoğan’s visit to the White House, the S-400 issue was discussed with Donald Trump and possible solutions were reportedly proposed, but no follow-up occurred. Barrack’s recent statements, as well as earlier ones at the end of 2025, have brought the issue back into the spotlight, and it remains to be seen whether, as he claims, a solution will soon be found.

It should be noted that the US ambassador has occasionally irritated Turkey, as he is seen by some as interfering in state policy matters beyond his diplomatic role.