New call in US Congress to block F-35 sales to Turkey
Ahead of the NATO Summit to be held in Washington, fierce opposition has emerged in the US Congress against Turkey's potential readmission to the F-35 program. The Republican representative's anti-Turkey initiative has strained relations once again before the summit.
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Tensions between the US and Turkey have flared up again ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit. Republican Congressman Mike Lawler has opened a draft letter for signatures in Congress calling for the definitive prevention of any future sale or transfer of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. The letter, addressed to US President Donald Trump, harshly criticizes Ankara's foreign policy and defense moves while demanding the continuation of the F-35 ban that has been in place since 2019.
The prepared letter lists Turkey's continued possession of Russian-made S-400 air defense systems, its military activities in northern Cyprus, the path it has taken in its policies toward Greece, the increase in anti-Israel rhetoric, and its rapprochement with Iran as the main justifications. The congressman's initiative views Ankara's recent position as a threat to the security of the US and its allies.
THE VIEW THAT IT IS "NO LONGER A RELIABLE PARTNER"
While emphasizing that Turkey has been a NATO ally since 1952, Lawler stated that under current conditions, Ankara cannot be seen as a "reliable partner." The letter notably recalls that Turkey was removed from the F-35 program during the Trump administration due to the S-400 crisis and calls for "standing by the message sent."
F-35 PROGRAM IS OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE
Arguing that the F-35 program forms the foundation of defense cooperation and military superiority among NATO and partner countries, Mike Lawler stated, "The delivery of one of the US's most advanced military technologies to Turkey is contrary to American interests." With this call, which has also found support on social media, the congressman indicated that he is determined to oppose pressures for F-35 sales to Turkey and will clearly maintain this position in Congress.
Another notable element in the letter is that Turkey's current military and diplomatic steps are viewed as a risk to the long-term security and interests of the US. In Lawler's statements, the phrase "The delivery of one of America's most advanced military technologies to Turkey is completely contrary to US interests" stood out.
Whether this initiative, brought to the agenda before the NATO Summit, will add a new dimension to the F-35 crisis on the Ankara-Washington line will become clear in the coming days.