US senators seek freeze on F-16 sales until Turkey unblocks Sweden, Finland’s NATO bid
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 3 Feb 2023) A group of senators led by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Thom Tillis urged President Joe Biden in a joint bipartisan letter on Thursday to delay the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey until President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stops blocking the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO.
“the congress cannot consider future support for Türkiye, including sale of F-16 fighter jets, until Türkiye (Turkey) completes the ratification of the Accession Protocols,” the letter said.
Year 2022, Sweden and Finland submitted their formal applications to join NATOwhich was followed by a formal invitation to join alliance on July 5.
Since then, 28 out of 30 have NATO member states inclusive United States has ratified the accession protocols of both countries.
“When NATO accession protocol has been ratified by Türkiye, the congress may consider sale of F-16 fighter jets. Failure to do so, however, would call this ongoing into question sale“, the senators wrote.
The senators also urged the president to continue to cooperate with the US ambassador to TurkeyUS Mission to NATO and with US allies, including Sweden and Finlandto encourage Turkey to act quickly on the two nations’ accession protocols, the letter said.