Turkey fails to meet legal requirements to receive F-35 fighter jets

The US State Department said that Turkey has not yet met the legal requirements necessary to return to the F-35 fighter jet program. This information was given in a letter sent to Congress.

In response to a letter from Congressman Wesley Bell, the State Department on behalf of US President Donald Trump said that no F-35 aircraft will be provided to Ankara until it completely abandons the Russian-made S-400 air defense system and fully complies with US law.

However, the letter praised Turkey's diplomatic role in resolving the Russia-Ukraine war, Azerbaijan-Armenia and the Gaza crisis. In addition, it was noted that Ankara played a key role in advancing President Trump's Gaza peace plan.

On the other hand, the State Department warned that Washington's concerns about Turkey's financial ties with Hamas and the illegal money transfer network in the country have not yet been resolved. The United States has said it will continue talks with Turkey to resolve the S-400 crisis, in addition to strengthening bilateral relations and NATO cooperation.

Source: Jerusalem Post.