& Allied Interests
| Upon hearing of the Trump Administration’s consideration of selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, AHEPA Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos issued a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging him to oppose the sale. The letter expresses AHEPA’s concern given Turkey’s recent actions and policies and encourages Secretary Rubio to protect United States Security and Allied Interests. |
| Below, please find a copy of the letter sent by the Supreme President. March 26, 2025 The Honorable Marco RubioSecretary of StateU.S. Department of State2201 C Street NWWashington, D.C. 20520 Dear Secretary Rubio: On behalf of the Order of AHEPA, the leading grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, I write to express our grave concern regarding the Trump Administration’s consideration of selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Given Turkey’s recent actions and policies, such a sale would not only undermine U.S. national security but also reward a government that has consistently acted against American interests and the stability of our allies. As you are aware during your time as a senior member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Turkey has not been a reliable or loyal ally of the United States. Over the past several years, the Turkish government has demonstrated a troubling pattern of behavior that is directly at odds with the security and values of the United States and its NATO allies. Some of the most alarming actions include: Harboring and Supporting Hamas: Turkey has openly provided refuge and support to Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. President Erdogan has hosted Hamas leaders and has allowed them to operate within Turkey, further destabilizing the Middle East and undermining U.S. counterterrorism efforts.Sympathy Toward Hezbollah: Turkey’s government has exhibited sympathies toward Hezbollah, another U.S.-designated terrorist organization. This raises serious concerns about Turkey’s commitment to counterterrorism efforts and its alignment with extremist groups hostile to U.S. interests.Aggression Against the Kurds in Syria: Turkey has launched military operations against the Kurdish forces in Syria, who have been key U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS. These actions not only weaken our counterterrorism efforts but also raise human rights concerns regarding Turkey’s treatment of ethnic minorities.Failure to Impose Sanctions on Russia: Turkey remains the only NATO ally that has refused to impose sanctions on Russia following its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. This refusal undermines NATO’s unified stance against Russian aggression and raises questions about Turkey’s commitment to the alliance.Furthermore, as stated by the U.S. Department of State under the previous Trump administration, “The United States imposed sanctions on Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) under Section 231 of CAATSA for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction with Rosoboronexport, Russia’s main arms export entity.” This underscores the serious concerns regarding Turkey’s military dealings and its implications for U.S. national security.Providing Safe Haven for Russian Oligarchs: Instead of sanctioning Russia, Turkey has welcomed Russian oligarchs seeking to evade Western economic measures. This undermines U.S. and allied efforts to hold Russia accountable for its aggressive actions and weakens the effectiveness of global sanctions.Hostility Toward Israel: The Turkish government has repeatedly used offensive and inflammatory language against Israel, a key U.S. ally in the region. Such rhetoric fosters instability and contradicts American efforts to promote peace and cooperation in the Middle East.Threats Against Greece: Turkey has frequently engaged in provocative actions and rhetoric against Greece, including violations of Greek airspace and maritime zones. These threats to Greek territorial sovereignty run counter to the principles of NATO and risk further destabilizing the region.Occupation of Cyprus: Turkey continues its illegal occupation of the northern part of Cyprus, a sovereign European Union member state. Despite decades of international condemnation, Turkey refuses to withdraw its military forces or engage in good-faith negotiations to resolve the issue. Moreover, Turkey’s rapidly expanding drone program is an additional concern, as it has been used to project power in conflicts from Libya to the Caucasus, often in ways that are destabilizing and contrary to U.S. interests. The proliferation of these drones, coupled with Turkey’s increasingly aggressive foreign policy, further underscores the risks of enhancing its military capabilities with advanced U.S. fighter jets. Given these troubling realities, we strongly urge the Administration to reconsider any proposal to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Providing such advanced military technology to a nation that has repeatedly acted against U.S. interests and its allies would be a grave mistake with long-lasting consequences. We respectfully request your leadership in ensuring that any arms sales align with American security interests and the values we uphold. Thank you for your time and attention to this critical issue. Respectfully submitted, Savas C. TsivicosNational President |