"Merhaba asker": Trump greets Turkish honor guard

US President Donald Trump opened the NATO summit in Turkey on Tuesday by greeting the Turkish ceremonial guard in their native language during his arrival.

Trump was welcomed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan before taking part in an official military reception. As he walked along the ceremonial route to inspect the honor guard, Trump greeted the soldiers by saying, "Merhaba asker," which means "Hello, soldiers" in Turkish.

The exchange set a friendly tone ahead of the two-day NATO summit, where leaders are expected to discuss defense spending, security cooperation, and the future of the alliance.

Ahead of the summit, Trump said his decision to attend was influenced by his relationship with Erdoğan, suggesting he may not have traveled had the meeting been held elsewhere.

Trump says 'we will consider' selling F-35s to Turkey

Trump said Tuesday that Washington would consider selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey after booting it out of the programme in 2019 over Ankara's purchase of a Russian system.

"That's a decision we're going to make... it's a great plane, the best plane by far and it's certainly something we will consider," Trump said, sitting next to Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey has long sought to resolve the question of its readmittance to the F35 programme and the lifting of US sanctions that have soured ties and hampered Turkish defence projects, and has looked to Trump's visit to break the deadlock.

When the pair met at the White House last September, both leaders expressed a desire to draw a line under the matter, although lifting the sanctions is a congressional decision.

Asked if he would lift the CAATSA sanctions, Trump said: "We're going to be taking the sanctions off."

"We don't want to sanction friends," he added.

Sitting next to him, Erdogan said he was confident Trump would resolve the issue and end the dispute.

"Mr. Trump has also personally given us his word on this matter," he said through a translator.

"On this issue, Mr. Trump always stands by his word. Here again, God willing, I believe a favourable decision on the F-35s will emerge from this leaders' summit."

Earlier this week, 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Washington not to sell the jets to NATO ally Turkey, arguing it would "upset the power balance" in the region.

"I don't think they should be given F-35s or the engines for their fighter jets, because that'll upset the power balance in the Middle East, which is ultimately guaranteed by Israeli air superiority and also by, I think, by America's posture in the Middle East," Netanyahu said on Fox News.