Republican congressman asks Trump not to give F-35s to Turkey

The European Union and Turkey have resumed high-level political dialogues after a prolonged period of limited contact, signaling a renewed commitment to strengthening their bilateral relations. This move comes as both sides seek to address critical issues related to security, defense, migration, energy, and regional stability. The recent visit by three senior EU officials—High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Relations Marta Kos, and Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner—to Ankara marks the beginning of a broader series of high-level interactions between Brussels and Ankara. These discussions will continue into the coming weeks, including a NATO summit scheduled to take place in Istanbul.

During their meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and other members of the Turkish government, the EU delegation emphasized the importance of fostering a more functional relationship with Ankara amid evolving global dynamics. This includes developments such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, shifting circumstances in the Middle East, and increasing European security concerns. Despite the stalled accession process, which remains essentially frozen, the EU now views Turkey as a strategic partner in several key areas, including security, defense, migration, energy, and regional stability.

The joint statement issued following the talks with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan underscores the agreement between the two parties to schedule new rounds of high-level dialogues on a range of critical topics. Particular emphasis was placed on cooperation in the fields of security and defense, with both sides highlighting the need to strengthen dialogue and collaboration, complementing NATO efforts. This discussion took on added significance just one day after President Erdogan's intervention during the NATO parliamentary session in Istanbul, where he urged that Turkey not be excluded from new European initiatives on defense and security. Erdogan argued that Turkey is among the most significant contributors to the Alliance and warned that excluding its military capabilities for political reasons would benefit no one.

Following her meeting with President Erdogan, High Representative Josep Borrell described Turkey as a "key partner" of the European Union in the areas of security, migration, and energy, while also reminding the audience that Turkey remains a candidate country seeking accession to the EU. The discussions focused on further enhancing Euro-Turkish relations, developments in Ukraine and the Middle East, the importance of good neighborly relations, and preparations for the upcoming NATO summit. Borrell also noted that Turkey plays a crucial role in protecting the eastern flank of the Alliance.

Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos highlighted the benefits of closer cooperation in trade, investment, and connectivity between Europe and Asia, while Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner emphasized that cooperation on security and migration is a top priority for both sides. In the joint statement, both parties expressed their commitment to addressing these pressing issues collaboratively.

Meanwhile, in the United States, Republican Congressman Mike Lozier has initiated a new congressional initiative aimed at preventing the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. Lozier has written to President Donald Trump urging him to maintain the ban imposed in 2019. He argues that Turkey’s continued aggressive stance toward key U.S. allies, combined with its defense collaborations with American adversaries, makes such a sale contrary to U.S. national interests. Lozier notes that the first Trump administration removed Turkey from the F-35 program after the acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system. He references the legal framework established by Congress in the 2020 defense budget, which prohibits the transfer of F-35s to Turkey as long as it retains the S-400 system.

Lozier also links this issue to Turkey’s broader behavior in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. He points to Turkey’s ongoing military occupation of northern Cyprus, its actions against Greece, and its increasingly hostile rhetoric towards Israel. While acknowledging Turkey’s status as a NATO member since 1952, Lozier contends that under current conditions, Turkey cannot easily be considered a reliable ally. He urges President Trump to remain consistent with the policy set by his own administration in 2019, warning that a reversal could send the wrong message to both President Erdogan and U.S. allies in Europe and the Middle East.

As the situation unfolds, the resumption of high-level dialogues between the EU and Turkey indicates a desire to address shared challenges and opportunities. However, the potential sale of F-35s to Turkey remains a contentious issue, reflecting deeper geopolitical tensions and differing priorities between the two regions. With NATO’s upcoming summit in Istanbul and the ongoing debates within the U.S. Congress, the future trajectory of these relationships will depend on how these complex dynamics evolve.