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Erdoğan: Mitsotakis should not have opposed Turkey's F-35 sale
🇬🇷 Greece /Conflict & Security

Erdoğan: Mitsotakis should not have opposed Turkey's F-35 sale

From Kathimerini · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed strong displeasure with Greece and Israel over their opposition to a potential F-35 sale to Turkey.
  • Erdoğan criticized Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, calling his stance mistaken and emphasizing the need for bilateral solutions to Aegean issues.
  • He asserted Turkey's right to purchase military equipment and indicated ongoing negotiations, while also noting Trump's positive stance on the F-35 sale to Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan voiced significant discontent regarding Greece's and Israel's objections to a potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Speaking after a NATO summit in Ankara, Erdoğan directly criticized Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, deeming his position incorrect and stressing the importance of resolving issues in the Aegean through bilateral dialogue.

The Israeli and Greek opposition to the purchase of F-35s by Turkey have no place in my world.

— Recep Tayyip ErdoğanErdoğan's strong reaction to Greece and Israel opposing Turkey's potential F-35 purchase.

"The Israeli and Greek opposition to the purchase of F-35s by Turkey have no place in my world," Erdoğan stated emphatically. He added, "Mr. Mitsotakis should not make such a mistake." Erdoğan clarified that Ankara has no intention of backing down from its armament plans, asserting Turkey's legitimate right to acquire fighter jets and other defense equipment. He confirmed that discussions and negotiations for this purpose are actively underway.

Mr. Mitsotakis should not make such a mistake.

— Recep Tayyip ErdoğanCriticism directed at the Greek Prime Minister regarding his stance on the F-35 sale.

Despite the firm rhetoric concerning the F-35s, Erdoğan also extended an olive branch regarding the Aegean disputes. He suggested that the leaders of Turkey and Greece have a duty to resolve these pressing regional issues themselves. "Our duty, as the leaders of Turkey and Greece, is to solve the problems in the Aegean," he remarked.

Our duty, as the leaders of Turkey and Greece, is to solve the problems in the Aegean.

— Recep Tayyip ErdoğanErdoğan's call for bilateral resolution of Aegean issues.

Erdoğan also mentioned that former U.S. President Trump holds a positive view regarding the sale of F-35s to Turkey. "Trump has a positive attitude regarding the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. I hope the U.S. will keep its promise," Erdoğan noted, indicating a potential avenue for future progress on the matter.

Trump has a positive attitude regarding the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. I hope the U.S. will keep its promise.

— Recep Tayyip ErdoğanMentioning former U.S. President Trump's stance on the F-35 sale.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathimerini in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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