DistantNews
Support us
US Lawmakers Seek to Block Turkey's F-35 Return Over Russian Missiles
🇬🇷 Greece /Conflict & Security

US Lawmakers Seek to Block Turkey's F-35 Return Over Russian Missiles

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • US lawmakers are collecting signatures to prevent Turkey's potential return to the F-35 program.
  • The initiative aims to block any decision to reintegrate Turkey without resolving the issue of its Russian S-400 missile systems and CAATSA sanctions.
  • This move follows President Trump's remarks about a possible defense settlement with Ankara ahead of a NATO summit in Turkey.

A push is underway in the US Congress to block Turkey's potential return to the F-35 fighter jet program. Democratic Representative Dina Titus of Nevada is leading the effort, which comes after President Donald Trump suggested a new defense arrangement with Ankara might be possible. The initiative is gathering signatures for a letter to House leadership, urging them to prevent Turkey's reintegration into the F-35 program until its acquisition of Russian S-400 missile systems and related CAATSA sanctions are resolved.

I think my arm injury, for instance, is something that I couldn't foresee. It was bad luck. With muscles, it's more of like a load thing. Also bones are a load thing as well.

— Jack DraperJack Draper discusses the nature of his past injuries.

Congress has avenues to object to such deals under the Arms Export Control Act. Lawmakers can block a transaction through a joint resolution of disapproval, which can be activated after the government officially notifies Congress of a proposed sale. The letter is addressed to Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. It emphasizes that the Trump administration cannot bypass US legal obligations while Turkey maintains the Russian S-400 system.

I think it's pretty worrying the state of men's tennis, especially right now. The amount of injuries, especially through young players, Musetti, I know (Arthur) Fils has had a lot of trouble, Alcaraz's wrist.

— Jack DraperJack Draper expresses concern about the high number of injuries among young male tennis players.

These developments follow President Trump's comments at the White House during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. When asked if he would visit Turkey with a "big bag of gifts," referring to Ankara's requests for General Electric engines and F-35 jets, Trump responded affirmatively. These remarks were made ahead of the NATO Summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara.

I think definitely the way athletes are getting better and hitting the ball harder and moving better, I think it's my opinion they need to really take a close look at what we're doing on tour.

— Jack DraperJack Draper suggests that the tour needs to examine its practices due to increased athleticism and power in the men's game.

The letter's text references Vice President JD Vance's statement that an official review is underway to determine the legal path for a potential sale. Vance noted that "Pete Hegseth and the whole team are looking at it right now." Turkey was removed from the F-35 program in 2019 after purchasing the Russian S-400 air defense system, which Washington deemed a risk to sensitive information concerning the American fighter jet's capabilities.

I think the tournaments are going to suffer a lot if not much changes. I think it's a really important topic.

— Jack DraperJack Draper warns that tournaments will be negatively impacted if the issue of player injuries is not addressed.
DistantNews Editorial

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

More Stories

From Our Blog