Financial Times: Ukraine war prompts U.S. to mend ties with Turkey
After Turkey withdrew its objections to Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership, the US administration gave the green light to the sale of F-16s to Turkey. The British newspaper Financial Times has published a stunning analysis of the recent process. According to analysts and diplomats, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has led the West to correct bad relations with Turkey, which has a strategic position in the Black Sea, the newspaper wrote.
After Turkey withdrew its objections to Finland and Sweden’s membership in NATO, the statement that the administration of US President Joe Biden supported the possible sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey was also read in the international press.
Assistant secretary of Defense for international security affairs in the U.S. Department of defense, said the fact Turkey had strong defense capabilities would strengthen Nato’s defense as well and added following: “The U.S. supports the modernization of Turkey’s battle fleet because this contributes to the security of Nato and the United States,”
Turkey had requested in October to purchase 40 Lockheed Martin-made F-16 fighter jets from the United States and 80 modernization kits for existing fighter jets. Turkey’s purchase request must be approved by the US Congress.
