Bangladesh, May 18 -- In a move signaling a dramatic shift in US-Turkish relations, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed that the United States is easing long-standing sanctions on Türkiyes defence sector and has approved a major new arms sale to Ankara. The development marks a significant thaw in the tense bilateral relationship that had deteriorated after Türkiyes controversial arms deal with Russia five years ago.

The announcement comes just days after Erdogan returned from the European Political Community summit in Albania. Speaking to reporters aboard his plane, Erdogan declared, “We can safely say that CAATSA sanctions are being eased,” referring to the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions...