US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller commented on the process regarding the US sale of F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits to Turkey. In response to a question at the daily press briefing, Miller said that at this stage, he did not want to comment on when progress would be made.
The State Department spokesperson reiterated the US administration’s view that the sale of F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits to Turkey should not be linked to Turkey’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership.
Noting that there are different views on this issue within the US Congress, Miller said, “We have clearly stated that the sale of F-16s and modernization kits to Turkey should not be linked to Turkey’s approval of Sweden’s NATO membership. However, there are members of Congress who see these two issues as linked. So at this stage, I don’t want to comment on when we will be ready to make progress on this issue.”
The State Department spokesperson expressed the US administration’s appreciation for the steps Turkey has taken on Sweden’s NATO membership and said, “We have faced obstacles in Congress because of some of the steps Turkey has taken, and we have tried to overcome those obstacles. We are trying to overcome them as diligently as possible, but I can tell you that the best way to make progress on both of these issues would be for Turkey to move quickly to approve Sweden’s NATO membership.”
VoA