A group of U.S. senators from both political parties asked President Joe Biden to postpone the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey until Ankara approves Sweden’s and Finland’s applications to join NATO, RIA Novosti reported.
The letter from the senators reads that the Congress cannot consider further support of Turkey, including sale of F-16s until Ankara finishes ratification of accession protocols. The appeal, which called on Biden to postpone selling fighter jets to Ankara, was signed by 25 congressmen from both parties.
The document also says that a productive U.S.-Turkish relationship is in the interests of Washington. At the same time, Ankara’s reluctance to approve Sweden’s and Finland’s applications for membership in the alliance “cannot be overlooked.” “Both of our parties agree that accepting these two countries into NATO would make the alliance even more powerful,” congresswoman Jeanne Shaheen stressed.
Earlier, Turkey accused the U.S. of violating its commitments to supply fighter jets. Such a statement was made by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
