President Donald Trump has expressed interest in selling the F-35 fighter jet to Turkey, despite the country’s possession of a Russian missile defense system. The State Department has stated that Turkey must first relinquish the Russian system before it can be considered for the F-35 sale.
Turkey’s Relationship with Russia
Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 system has raised concerns among U.S. officials, who fear that it could compromise the security of the F-35. The State Department has made it clear that Turkey must meet certain conditions before it can be allowed to purchase the F-35, including relinquishing the S-400 system and promising not to acquire it again.
Despite these concerns, Trump has praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and expressed a desire to improve relations between the two countries. Trump has also stated that he has no concerns about Turkey’s possession of the S-400 system.
Congressional Opposition
However, the sale of the F-35 to Turkey is likely to face opposition in Congress. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has already expressed concerns about the sale, citing Turkey’s ties to Russia and its human rights record.
The issue is also likely to be influenced by Israel, which has reportedly pressed Trump not to provide Turkey with the F-35. Israel is concerned that the sale could weaken its qualitative military edge in the region.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
