Turkish newspaper "Hurriyet" reported today, Friday, that "Washington is awaiting the Turkish Parliament's approval of Sweden's NATO membership protocol before proceeding with the F-16 aircraft deal with Ankara." According to the newspaper, a senior White House official stated, "We hope the Turkish Parliament will soon approve Sweden's request to join NATO," emphasizing that this remains the U.S. administration's top priority.
The newspaper added, "One option is for the U.S. State Department to inform Congress on the same day that the Turkish Parliament approves Sweden's NATO membership, allowing Congress to make its decision within 30 days."
Previously, Turkey was excluded from the F-35 fifth-generation fighter jet production program due to Ankara's purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems. Sweden, as a member of the European Union, has agreed in negotiations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to assist in accelerating Turkey's EU accession process in exchange for the ratification of Sweden's NATO membership request.
