politics
U.S. president signals possible F-35 sale to Turkey during Ankara visit
The U.S. president said Tuesday he would consider selling F-35 jets to Turkey and lifting sanctions tied to its Russian missile purchase. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the sale would destroy the regional balance of power.
Jul 8, 5:08 AM·1m read1 source
France 24Audio version
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The U.S. president on Tuesday announced willingness to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey and remove sanctions imposed after its 2019 purchase of a Russian S-400 system. The announcement came during the first U.S. presidential visit to Turkey in 11 years. Turkish officials welcomed the president with a state ceremony at the airport and escorted the motorcade to the presidential palace.
Jet sale and sanctions Both leaders praised each other in public remarks.
The U.S. president said Turkey had been loyal and called the F-35 the best plane currently available, adding that sales would be considered. The president also said sanctions would be lifted, stating it was time to stop sanctioning friends and that the secretary of state and treasury secretary were working on the issue.
Israeli reaction and legal barriers Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the same day that selling F-35 jets to Turkey would destroy the balance of power in the Middle East. Congress passed a 2019 law barring F-35 sales to Turkey while it retains the S-400 system.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers wrote to the president last week expressing concern over any potential sale. When asked about Turkey still possessing the Russian missiles, the president said he had no concerns. The meeting preceded a two-day NATO summit in Ankara.
