US President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that Saudi Arabia will be formally recognized as a major non-NATO ally of the United States.
�Tonight, I’m pleased to announce that we’re taking our military cooperation to even greater heights by formally designating Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, which is something that is very important to them,� Trump said at a gala White House dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The designation welcomes Saudi Arabia to a group of only 19 countries granted special military and strategic privileges in partnership with Washington.
The announcement followed a private meeting between Trump and the Crown Prince earlier in the day during which the two leaders finalized a series of sweeping agreements aimed at strengthening the U.S.-Saudi strategic relationship. Among the deals are plans for future deliveries of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia�a move that has drawn concern from Israel, which fears the sale could undermine its air superiority in the region.
Trump was asked during the meeting if the F-35s to be sold to Saudi Arabia will be the same as those sold to Israel, and he replied, �I think they will be pretty similar, yeah.�
He went on to emphasize the importance of both allies: �Saudi Arabia is a great ally, and Israel is a great ally. I know they’d [Israel] like you to get planes of reduced caliber. I don’t think that makes you too happy.” He added that he believes both Israel and Saudi Arabia “are at a level where they should get top-of-the-line” aircraft.
When Trump was asked about reports that Israel requested that the US condition the sale of F-35s to Riyadh on a normalization agreement with Jerusalem, Trump replied, �Israel is aware, and they�re going to be very happy.�
Bin Salman said at the meeting that Saudi Arabia wants to join the Abraham Accords but also wants a clear path for “a two-state solution.”
The Saudi prince also promised that Riyadh will �definitely help� contribute to the reconstruction of Gaza.
(YWN Israel Desk�Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
Sorry Mr President …you have lost all credibility . I learned a long time ago …It’s all about the “Benjamins ” .So Mr President , what did the US get in return ??? A promise to try to convice the Palestinians to maybe consider making peace with Israel ? Which we all know will never happen .
So this degenerate dumbell couldn’t figure out to condition the sale of planes with peace with Israel? Wow what a deal maker!
The Donald J. Tariff would sell his mother in law if he could get the Nobel. It’s all about the Don.