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The United States national security adviser announced on Tuesday that F-16 fighter jets will be transferred to Turkey in consultation with Congress. This decision came shortly after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed to drop his veto on Sweden’s accession to NATO.
Erdoğan’s reversal on Sweden’s membership in the military alliance, which followed significant lobbying efforts from Western capitals including Washington, removes a major obstacle for NATO as it strengthens its defenses in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan stated that US President Joe Biden has placed no conditions on the transfer of the fighter jets and intends to proceed with the transfer in consultation with Congress. The Biden administration has been careful not to explicitly link the fighter jets with Sweden’s membership bid. However, Ankara’s decision to withdraw opposition sends a strong message to the US Congress, which previously had prominent members opposing the transfer of F-16s.
Erdoğan changed his stance on Sweden’s membership in NATO after intensive diplomatic efforts on Monday to reach a deal. NATO, EU, and US officials worked towards persuading the Turkish President.
On his way to the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Biden spoke with Erdoğan and is scheduled to meet with him later in the day. They discussed the potential for positive collaboration between the US and Turkey if Ankara were to approve Sweden’s bid. Sullivan emphasized that this would require a significant step from Turkey.
Following his discussions with Erdoğan, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg met with the Turkish President. Erdoğan also had a separate meeting with European Council President Charles Michel, focusing on revitalizing Turkey’s stalled EU membership process.
Michel emphasized that while the processes were separate, approving Sweden’s entry into NATO would create a positive atmosphere among Brussels officials who are willing to assist Turkey. This information was shared by an individual briefed on the discussion.
Bob Menendez, Chair of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, previously opposed the transfer of the fighter jets, but indicated on Monday that he could change his stance after discussions with the White House. Menendez stated that if the administration can ensure an end to Turkey’s aggression against its neighbors, as there has been a lull in recent months, he would support the move, provided that it is a lasting change.
Biden initially expressed support for the idea of sending F-16s last year when Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO.
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