Anti-Ankara statement from Washington: They did nothing to deserve the F-16s
Last week, there was a notable development on the Ankara-Washington line, where tensions have been high in recent years… The US State Department reported that it had officially transmitted its decision to Congress on the sale of the kits. modernization of the Link-16 tactical data link network, the communication system of the F-16 fighter jets, to Congress.
However, it was claimed that this move was not included in a broader deal involving the purchase of billions of dollars of F-16s by NATO member Turkey, and there was no clear progress in this process. While this sale to Turkey last week with congressional approval marked the first US sale to Turkey in many years, there were harsh remarks from US Senator Bob Menendez, known for his opposition to Ankara.
“I FOLLOW OBJECTIVE”
Menendez, chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he was against the sale of F-16s to Turkey. Speaking to Greek state television, Menéndez said: “Turkey has not done anything to receive an award in this way. “I’m still against the sale of the F-16,” he said.
Menendez said: “The Erdogan government should stop its stance against Greece.” The American politician said: “Congress did not give the green light to the modernization of Turkish F-16 missile systems, but approved the sale of communications-related parts.”
“IT IS NOT A $20 BILLION DEAL”
Turkey wanted to buy $20 billion worth of new F-16 fighter jets and about 80 modernization kits from the United States. Speaking to the Greek media, Menendez also said about Turkey-Greece relations: “After the elections in Greece and Turkey, relations between the two countries will be formed. The Greek government always wants to live in peace with Türkiye. It is not Greece that is violating its airspace, it is violating the continental shelf. There are no statements from Greece that ‘we can come suddenly one night,'” he also commented.
Menendez expressed his hope that Turkey’s attitude towards Greece will change.