ANKARA: Turkiye and the United States are discussing the US sanctions and obstacles to Ankara rejoining the F-35 jet program but nothing has changed with respect to its possession of Russian S-400 air defenses, the defense ministry said on Friday.
The NATO allies have been at loggerheads since 2020 when Washington removed Ankara from Lockheed Martin’s fighter jet program and imposed sanctions over Turkiye’s acquisition of the S-400s, which Washington calls a security threat.
Turkiye says that move was unjust. Both sides have said they hope the CAATSA sanctions and US laws can be overcome in US President Donald Trump’s second term so that Turkiye can both buy the jets and return to the manufacturing program. US Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack said on Wednesday that discussions continue on the issue, but noted US law would not permit Turkiye to operate or possess the S-400 system if it wants to return to the F-35 program.
Addressing Barrack’s comments at a press briefing, the Turkish defense ministry said: “There have been no new developments regarding the S-400 air defense systems, which has been put on the agenda in recent days.”
Turkiye’s diplomatic discussions with the US continue “on lifting sanctions and obstacles to the F-35 procurement and re-admitting our country to the program,” it said.
“Addressing the process regarding the F-35 project within the spirit of alliance, through mutual dialogue and constructive consultation, will contribute positively to bilateral relations,” the ministry added. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said last week he believed Turkiye and the US would find a way to remove American sanctions “very soon.”
Washington says the S-400s pose a threat to its F-35 fighter jets and to NATO’s broader defense systems. Turkiye rejects that and says the S-400s will not be integrated into NATO.