US President Donald Trump has allowed the sale of the most advanced F-35 fighter jets to Ankara, which he himself removed from the project during his first mandate for the purchase of Russian S-400 systems.
US President Donald Trump is considering selling F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. He made this statement on Monday during a visit to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his residence in Florida, who rejects this move. TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
- Turkey was dropped from the F-35 program during Trump’s previous term.
- Israel rejects this move and warns of the risks.
- Donald Trump maintains positive relations with Turkish President Erdogan.
- The sale of the F-35 may affect regional relations and the issue of security.
Trump kicked Ankara out of the F-35 fighter jet program last term
“We are thinking about it very seriously,” Trump answered when asked about the possible sale of the aforementioned fighter jets to Turkey.
Just before the end of Trump’s first term in December 2020, the United States imposed some sanctions on Turkey for its purchase of the S-400 mobile air defense system from Russia. As a result, Washington also removed Ankara from the F-35 fighter program, in which it was supposed to be the buyer of the aircraft, but also the producer of some parts.
Israel and Turkey also quarrel over war-torn Syria
AFP notes that Trump has a good relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, despite Erdogan’s criticism of Israel over its actions in the Gaza Strip. In September, the head of the White House welcomed the Turkish president to a meeting in Washington. Erdogan said after the meeting that they had made significant progress with their American counterpart.
Israeli politicians say that the F-35 fighters would bring benefits to Turkey in the event of a possible war. The French press agency reminds that Israel and Turkey also quarrel over war-torn Syria, which neighbors both countries.
Trump described Erdogan as his very good friend
When asked about a possible conflict between Israel and Turkey, Trump described Erdogan as his very good friend. “We won’t have a problem,” the US president said, noting that “nothing will happen.”
During his first term, Trump agreed to sell F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates after they recognized the State of Israel. In November of this year, Trump announced that the US and Saudi Arabia had concluded agreements in the field of civil nuclear energy and the purchase of F-35 fighter jets by Riyadh.
