Turkey President Erdogan reveals U.S. F-16s offer that State Department is not ready to acknowledge. Turkey and the United States are trying to resolve a significant issue that has plagued their relationship in the past years, but Turkey Reveals Offer U.S. Won’t Admit.
While the two nations have had to deal with other problems between them in the last five years, the cancellation of an order for F-35s had taken the tension to new heights.
A sale gone wrong complicates Turkey’s relationship with the U.S.
Turkey had already invested $1.4 billion in a program led by the U.S. and planned to purchase more than 100 F-35s. However, after the Middle Eastern country brought S-400 long-range air and anti-missile defense system from Russia, the U.S. retaliated by removing Turkey from the multinational F-35 program in 2019.
America says the Russian air-defense system can gather information on the F-35s’ capabilities.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been trying to get the $1.4 billion back for a little while, and this week he announced a breakthrough in the negotiations.
The Turkish leader said America is now offering upgraded F-16 fighter jets as a form of reimbursement. In September, Turkey announced plans to purchase 40 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft produced by Lockheed Martin Corp. and 80 kits to modernize its jets.
Some experts saw the move as a gesture in the right direction, and it seems the two NATO allies have been able to build on that little progress.
America takes a cautious approach in solving the issue with Turkey
Turkey Reveals Offer
Erdogan, who is known for being a tough negotiator, says he wants an amicable resolution. President Joe Biden is expected to meet with his Turkish counterpart during the Group of 20 summit that will take place in Rome later this month
America is adopting a wait-and-see attitude when it comes to current negotiations with Turkey. The U.S. State Department has not confirmed the remarks made by Erdogan.
A spokesperson for the department said that a resolution is not close, but the two sides are working on a positive outcome. The cautious approach is a political necessity for America.
Turkey has been a helpful ally for years, but lately, Erdogan has been getting closer to Vladimir Putin‘s Russia.
While Turkey knows America’s stance towards its coziness to Russia, it is not ready to back down. Instead, Ankara seems to be forging ahead.
Erdogan’s nationalistic ambitions clash with America’s foreign policy
Turkey Reveals Offer
Erdogan and Putin met on September 30, and they are looking for ways to increase cooperation and grow their partnership. Russia is not Turkey’s only disagreement with America.
The two countries do not see eye to eye when it comes to Syria. Turkey has been quite active in the Syrian conflict. Erdogan and his allies were able to use the situation in Syria to their advantage.
It helped Turkey become more nationalistic, and it was used to suppress the rights of Kurds domestically. The U.S. has pushed for Turkey to do more for human rights and freedoms.
Ankara also wants to play a more prominent role in the Eastern Mediterranean. This has led to renewed tensions with longtime foe Greece. America has not been supportive of Turkey’s recent grand ambitions.
While they are serving Erdogan well when it comes to his standing at home, the U.S. favors more stability in foreign policy.
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