The United States and Turkey are engaged in discussions over Ankaras long-blocked purchase of F-35 stealth fighters, according to U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, signaling the most significant movement in the years-long impasse since Turkeys acquisition of Russias S-400 air defense system.
In a statement posted on X, Barrack said Washington and Ankara have entered the most fruitful conversations we have had on this topic in nearly a decade, citing what he described as a markedly improved rapport between President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an.
As laid out in U.S. law, Turkey must no longer operate nor possess the S-400 system to return to the F-35 program, Barrack wrote, underscoring the statutory red line that forced Turkey out of the multinational fighter program in 2019.
Still, the ambassador hinted at a fresh diplomatic opening after months of quieter engagement between the two governments. The positive relationship between President Trump and President Erdogan has created a new atmosphere of cooperation, he said.
Our hope is that these talks will yield a breakthrough in the coming months that meets both the security requirements of the United States and Turkey.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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hopefully, israel has hacked the f-35s software, and can shut down turkish f-35s when required. otherwise, washington should supply the necessary codes as a prerequisite to turkey getting the planes, just in case. and in any event, delivery should be delayed until after the neo-sultan-wannabe retires from office.