Disclosure by the US envoy concerning Turkey F-16 is not connected to securing the NATO bid of Sweden and Finland. Ankara has yet to allow its accession as the two Nordic states still need to comply with the signed agreement.
Turkey F-16 Deal Not Connected with NATO Bid
Last Thursday, a report mentioned the recent disclosure of Washington it might relent and sell the jets to Ankara as sweeteners to expedite the process for Stockholm and Helsinki joining NATO, according to ANews.
Ambassador Jeff Flake talked to media representatives stating the US is looking to have more interactions at high levels with other nations. He remarked on the recent Türkiye-US Strategic Mechanism meeting in the US capital between Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, per Anadolu Agency.
The envoy added that Secretary Blinken thanked the Turkish Foreign minister for Ankara's assistance in the grain deal and support for Ukraine. Turkey has been a member of the military bloc for the last 70 years. Concerning the possible sale of the Fighting Falcon jet with applicable upgrade kits, comments by the US diplomat will be examined in the US Congress.
Despite the urgency of the fighter jet sale and allowing Stockholm and Helsinki to be part of NATO, it is incumbent on Erdogan's government to approve.
Flake mentioned that Congress is prioritizing the defense deal to help add more countries against Russia in the conflict. The two are important to widen more borders to hem in the Russian Federation.
He stressed Washington is keen to see the two Nordic countries is supposed to be a sentiment in Congress. Indicated that the legislative body has technical concerns over how long the body is allowed to review but not set dates.
Last October, Ankara placed an order to the US for 40 F-16 jets with modernization kits, the State Department official told of the sale to the legislative body, Daily Sabah reported.
The US official spoke of the talks of Turkey with the Regime of Assad in Syria and gave their opinion on the actions of the Erdogan government. He told the Turks that the White House disapproves of Istanbul allowing normal relations with a state it opposes, including claims that the Syrians are guilty of untoward actions based on the perception of Washington.
Sweden, Finland Must Do What Turkey Says
Security concerns in the north of Syria which the Turks claim is a path for terrorists, need action taken by Ankara. Flake added that more discussions with the Turkish officials are required.
The Turkish government is aware that the US is playing two sides, meaning the terrorist YPG/PKK is one terror group that threatens Istanbul with violence constantly. Also, a Turkish cross-border ground offensive is vital to end the terror threats as needed despite US opposition.
One of the concerns of Ankara is the campaign of terror waged against Istanbul. The US and EU called the PKK, with the YPG as its Syrian branch, a terror group that has killed 40,000 people. A reaction by the US envoy calling the Turkey F-16 deal is not a push for Ankara to allow Sweden and Finland to finish their NATO bid.
Related Article: Joe Biden Pushed To Cancel Erdogan's Request for F-16 Sale
