Turkish Defense Minister: Our talks with Washington on “F-16” have reached a positive point

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has revealed that his country’s talks with the US Department of Defense on the provision of F-16 fighters (F-16) have reached a positive point.

“We know that the White House supports this, and we look forward to Congress making its decision wisely,” Acar said, speaking with Anadolu.

We would like everyone to know that we are not helpless in the case (acquiring F-16 fighters), and we have alternatives.

Although Turkey has applied for a state-of-the-art US F-16 (F-16) since 2021, negotiations are still ongoing today, amid attempts by members of Congress to impose conditions on the deal.

The members of Congress are trying to link the deal to Turkey’s agreement to Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO, which Ankara rejects, which requires that the two States fulfil their pledges to eradicate from their territory so-called “terrorist elements” targeting Turkey.

On another issue, Akar said that both Russia and Ukraine were positively considering extending the grain agreement.

The Russian and Ukrainian parties were positively considering the extension of the grain agreement and were convinced that it would be extended on March 18.