Turkey looks to NATO summit for breakthrough on US F-35s acquisition
Amid preparations for the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey is eyeing sideline talks for a possible breakthrough on removing US sanctions tied to its purchase of Russian S-400 systems.
ANKARA — As Turkey ramps up preparations to host the upcoming NATO summit in July, it is also looking to potential talks on the sidelines for a possible breakthrough on US sanctions and the acquisition of American fighter jets.
Turkey will host the July 7-8 NATO summit in the capital Ankara, with hopes for a breakthrough on one of the thorniest issues in US-Turkish defense ties. The US imposed sanctions under its Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act on Ankara in 2020 over its purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems, expelling it from the F-35 fighter jets consortium and delaying the delivery of an F-16 fleet.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed preparations for the summit with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, during a visit to Berlin on Monday.
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker held talks with Fidan as well as Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler in Istanbul on Saturday ahead of the Berlin trip.
