Turkey Says Talks on F-35 Fighter Jets with U.S. Do Not Affect Russian S-400 Air Defense System

JAKARTA - The discussion of sanctions and obstacles to joining the F-35 fighter jet program between Turkey and the United States, did not cause changes related to ownership of the Russian S-400 air defense system, the Ministry of Defense said on Friday.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies have been at loggerheads since 2020, when Washington removed Ankara from a Lockheed Martin fighter jet program and imposed sanctions over Turkey's acquisition of the S-400, which Washington said posed a security threat.

Turkey said the move was unfair. Both sides said they hoped CAATSA sanctions and US laws could be overcome in the second term of President Donald Trump so that Turkey could buy the jets and return to the manufacturing program.

US Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack said on Wednesday that discussions continued on this issue, but noted that US law would not allow Turkey to operate or own the S-400 system if it wanted to return to the F-35 program.

Responding to Ambassador Barrack's comments at a press conference, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said: "There has been no new developments regarding the S-400 air defense system, which has been on the agenda in recent days," as reported by Al Arabiya from Reuters (12/12).

"Diplomatic discussions between Turkey and the US continue "regarding the lifting of sanctions and obstacles to the procurement of F-35s and the re-admission of our country into the program," the ministry continued.

"Addressing the process related to the F-35 project in the spirit of the alliance, through joint dialogue and constructive consultations, will contribute positively to bilateral relations," the ministry added.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Reuters last week he believed Turkey and the United States would find a way to lift American sanctions "soon."

English:

Washington says the S-400 poses a threat to F-35 fighter jets and the wider NATO defense system.

Meanwhile, Turkey rejected this and said the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO.