The Turkey F-35 dispute may be moving toward resolution after years of deadlock, according to remarks by Tom Barrack.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Barrack indicated that progress could come within months after years of deadlock.

“This Issue Can Be Resolved Within Months”

Barrack described the prolonged standoff as unnecessary and suggested that momentum is building at the political level.

“This issue can be resolved within a few months,” he said in his interview with Fox News Digital.

His comments point to a shift away from slow institutional processes toward faster, leader-driven engagement.

Leader-Level Diplomacy Takes Priority

Barrack emphasized that direct communication between Donald Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan could play a decisive role in breaking the impasse.

“This can be addressed through Secretary Rubio’s diplomacy, built on the strong personal relationship between President Trump and President Erdoğan,” Barrack said.

The reference to Marco Rubio suggests that Washington is actively relying on high-level political coordination rather than technical negotiations alone.

S-400 Condition Remains Unchanged

Despite the optimistic tone, Barrack made clear that the core condition for any agreement has not shifted. The United States continues to require verifiable steps regarding Turkey’s Russian-made S-400 system.

“Any solution must fully satisfy Section 1245 of the NDAA, including the verifiable termination of possession and operability of the Russian S-400 system,” he said.

This requirement remains the central obstacle. Without concrete and verifiable action, progress on the F-35 issue is unlikely.

Strategic Implications

Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program disrupted defense cooperation and added strain to NATO dynamics. A resolution would likely restore parts of that cooperation and reduce geopolitical friction between the two allies.

For now, the timeline remains conditional. Political momentum is building, but any agreement will depend on whether it can translate into measurable steps on the ground.

A breakthrough would signal a broader reset in NATO alignment between Turkey and the United States.