Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos has issued the following statement:
The Biden administration’s notification to Congress of its plan to sell 40 F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits to Turkey, following Turkey’s ratification of Sweden’s accession to NATO, is an outrage. In addition, the swift, informal nod to the reported $23 billion deal by leaders of the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees is a grave disappointment.
Once again, the United States has given in to Turkey, a failed NATO member. The United States rightfully sanctioned Turkey for its violation of U.S. law when it acquired Russian missile defense systems and correctly took measures to kick Turkey out of the F-35 program. The F-16 deal conflicts with these measures and compromises U.S. interests in the region. The deal is a blow to U.S. credibility when it comes to holding violators of U.S. and international laws accountable. Moreover, Turkey fails to uphold U.S. values and international standards on human rights, religious freedom, and freedom of the press, yet continues to be rewarded. Why should Turkey change its ways?