The top Senate Democrat, who oversees foreign affairs, said on Friday that he was giving the green light to selling F-16s to Turkey after Ankara's support for Sweden's membership in NATO.
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement that he would authorize the sale of F-16s to Turkey, but expressed concerns about Turkey's human rights situation in the country and its relationship with Ankara. expressed concern. villains around the world.
“My approval of Turkey’s request to purchase F-16 aircraft is conditional on Turkey approving Sweden’s membership in NATO. But make no mistake, this is not a decision I have taken lightly. There was no,” Cardin said, expressing concern about Ankara's human rights situation, its relationship with Russia during the war against Ukraine, its support for Hamas in the Middle East and its criticism of Israel.
“My concerns have been strongly and consistently communicated to the Biden administration as part of our continued engagement, and I am confident that discussions with Turkish officials to address these issues are moving in a productive direction. I am encouraged by my presence.”
Turkey has suspended Sweden's admission to NATO for more than a year, extracting concessions from Stockholm, including dealing with what Ankara considers a Kurdish terrorist group and banning arms sales to Turkey, and allowing Turkey to join NATO. has requested support from the country.european union
Additionally, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan blocked the sale of F-16s by former Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Bob Menendez (DN.J.) in order to force the Turkish government to allow Sweden to join. It was pressuring the United States to override the suspension. .
Menendez resigned as chairman in September after being indicted by the federal government on charges that he used his position to accept bribes in exchange for influence with foreign governments.
Cardin assumed the post shortly thereafter, but maintained F-16 sales until Turkey acceded to Sweden.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced the reward for allowing Sweden to join the alliance, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has also refrained from ratifying Sweden's membership in NATO.
Mr Cardin accused Mr Orbán of obstruction.
“Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has shown once again that he is not only a spoiler in the European Union's efforts to provide much-needed economic aid to Ukraine, but also the most unreliable member of NATO.” said Cardin, criticizing Budapest's frustrating efforts. Urges the European Union to commit to further economic aid to Ukraine.
NATO expansion is seen as a key bulwark against Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and threats to Europe. Following Finland's accession in June 2023, Sweden will also join the alliance, expanding the northern borders of NATO and Russia.
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