Statement from US senator about F-16 planes to Turkey: New conditions should be imposed

While making important statements about the sale of the F-16 to Turkey in an interview with the Greek press, US senator and member of the Foreign Relations Committee Chris van Hollen, stressed that the United States should offer new conditions. While criticizing Erdogan, Hollen said, ‘We are with Greece.”

Chris van Hollen, a US Senator from the Democratic Party and a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, spoke about the Athens-Ankara tension that has escalated recently and the issue of F-16 planes which the administration has still not decided as to whether they should be given to Turkey or not. Hollen, who gave an interview to the Greek-based Kathimerini newspaper said that Turkey was an inconsistent ally in NATO, while he supported Greece.

Hollen was asked about the possible sale of the F-16 to Turkey, and reminded that US President Joe Biden had said at the NATO summit in Madrid that he would support Erdogan on this issue.

“TURKEY IS AN INCONSISTENT ALLY”

In reply to the question “Where does the senate stand right now on the F-16 sale to Ankara?” HOLLEN said, “It is necessary to mention a little about the past in order to answer this question. If you remember, Congress rightly rejected the sale of F-35s to Turkey after purchasing the Russian S-400 system. I was one of those who blocked this sale and I took an active part in this process. This purchase, along with other problems, proved that Turkey was an inconsistent NATO ally, and its removal from the F-35 program was justified.”

“WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY WON’T BE USED IN SYRIA”

Regarding the F-16s, Hollen said, “As for the upgrade of the F-16s and the sale of new batches, we should offer some conditions to Turkey. For example, Turkey should not use its F-16s to invade the airspace of other NATO countries, such as Greece. However, it should be stipulated that these weapons should not be used against groups in Syria such as the YPG/SDF, which we support in the fight against ISIL. In short, clear conditions are required for any sale or upgrade of F-16s. Congress has taken control of the F-35 issue, and I assure you that they will also be actively involved in the F-16 issue Jul.”