Dhaka, Dec. 10 -- The close relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is bringing the two countries closer to resolving Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program, the U.S. ambassador to Ankara said Wednesday.

Ambassador Tom Barrack, who also serves as Trump's special envoy for Syria, said on social media that the "positive relationship" between the leaders has created a new atmosphere of cooperation, leading to the most productive discussions on the F-35 issue in nearly a decade.

Turkey was removed from the F-35 program during Trump's first term after purchasing the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, raising U.S. concerns that the missile system could compromise F-35 secur...