Greece Officially Joins Israel to Block Turkey's F-35 Deal Amid Rising Tensions
Greece has formally aligned with Israel in an effort to obstruct Turkey's planned acquisition of advanced F-35 fighter jets from the United States, amid ongoing regional tensions. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias stated that Athens will actively work to prevent the deal, which was announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The announcement came during a NATO summit in Ankara, where security and political complexities surrounding the F-35 sale and U.S. sanctions on Turkey under the CAATSA law were central topics.
Trump emphasized America's commitment to its agreements, noting that Turkey had purchased the F-35s from the U.S. and that the U.S. has obligations to assist with maintenance and repairs. Despite political hurdles, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham expressed cautious optimism about completing the deal, highlighting Turkey's strategic importance as the only Muslim NATO ally. However, he acknowledged potential opposition in the U.S. Congress, partly due to Turkey's strained relations with Israel.
In a surprising move, Trump announced plans to lift economic sanctions on Turkey, describing Erdogan as a "very strong leader" and reaffirming the improved bilateral relations. The deal faces significant challenges ahead, including political resistance in the U.S. and opposition from Greece and Israel, reflecting the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region.
