Ankara and Washington Discuss Sanctions and F-35… No Change Regarding S-400
Turkey’s Ministry of Defense said on Friday that Ankara and Washington are discussing U.S. sanctions and the obstacles preventing Turkey from joining the F-35 fighter jet program. However, there has been no change regarding Turkey’s possession of the Russian S-400 air defense system.
The dispute between the two NATO members has been ongoing since 2020, when Washington removed Ankara from the Lockheed Martin fighter jet program and imposed sanctions due to Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, which Washington considers a security threat.
U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Thomas Barak said on Wednesday that talks on this issue are still ongoing, but emphasized that U.S. laws prohibit Turkey from operating or owning the S-400 system if it wishes to return to the F-35 program.
In response to Barak’s comments, Turkey’s Ministry of Defense stated at a press conference, “There have been no developments regarding the S-400 air defense system, which has been brought up in recent days.”
The ministry added, “Discussing the F-35 project in the spirit of alliance, through mutual dialogue and constructive consultation, could positively contribute to bilateral relations.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Reuters last week that he believes Turkey and the U.S. will find a way to lift the U.S. sanctions “very soon.”
Washington says the S-400 system poses a threat to its F-35 fighter jets and NATO’s broader defense systems. Turkey rejects this assertion, insisting that the S-400 system will not be integrated into NATO.
