Turkey says closer to deal with U.S. on F-35s, sanctions

Turkey believes it is closer than ever to a resolution with the United States regarding sanctions and its involvement in the F-35 fighter jet program. Levent Gümrükçü, Turkey's deputy foreign minister and NATO envoy, stated that restarting talks was a priority after the U.S. presidential transition.

A joint political and military working group is examining various options to satisfy both American legal demands and Turkey's political and economic objectives. Gümrükçü expressed confidence that a deal might be reached, allowing Turkey to move past the issue, though he did not provide specific details or a timeline.

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This time we truly feel that we are closer. We believe that perhaps we can resolve this issue and leave it definitively behind us.

Gümrükçü emphasized that Turkey's goal extends beyond rejoining the F-35 program, aiming for broader defense industry cooperation with the U.S. He defended the 2019 purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems as a necessary, one-time measure to address immediate air defense needs, asserting it did not signify a strategic realignment.

Responding to concerns from the U.S. Congress and Greece, Gümrükçü described them as an "unnecessary political stance." He argued that Turkey does not comment on Greece's defense acquisitions from the U.S. or European allies, stating, "We belong to the same alliance and we cannot help but be happy when our allies strengthen their defense capabilities."

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When Greece acquires defense systems from the United States or from European allies, Turkey does not comment on these purchases. We belong to the same alliance and we cannot help but be happy when our allies strengthen their defense capabilities.