McConnell supports F-16 sale to Turkey after NATO progress.
Senate Minority Leader McConnell No Longer Opposed to F-16 Sale to Turkey
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has had a change of heart regarding the sale of F-16s to Turkey, according to a spokesman. This shift in stance comes after Ankara lifted its blockade on Sweden’s bid to join NATO.
Previously, McConnell expressed support for Senator Bob Menendez’s (D-NJ) hold on the sale. As chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez has the power to unilaterally block major sales. However, McConnell’s opposition was solely based on Turkey’s refusal to admit Sweden into NATO, which requires a unanimous vote.
While Menendez has yet to release his hold, he has stated that he needs assurances from the Biden administration regarding Greece’s military advantage in the region. On the other hand, McConnell’s concerns have been addressed with Turkey’s agreement to allow Sweden’s accession. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was initially against Sweden’s bid, changed his stance after Sweden tightened its counterterrorism laws and committed to reducing trade barriers with the European Union.
The announcement, made just before NATO’s annual summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, left Hungary as the only country opposing Sweden’s accession. However, Hungary also dropped its opposition shortly after. Now, both countries’ parliaments must ratify Sweden’s entry into the alliance for it to become official.
“I’m encouraged that President Erdogan and Prime Minister Orban have agreed to support Sweden’s accession,” McConnell stated in a floor speech on Tuesday. “And I look forward to rapid action by the Turkish and Hungarian parliaments.”
The addition of Sweden to NATO fulfills the alliance’s long-term goal of encircling the Baltic coastline. Additionally, it serves as a significant rebuke to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, following Finland’s accession in April.
McConnell, known for his strong stance on defense, praised Sweden for its already capable military and urged other NATO allies to increase their contributions to defense efforts.
Although McConnell could not single-handedly block the F-16 sale to Turkey, his opposition added to the congressional pressure on Turkey, which is seeking to modernize its air force.
The Biden administration had used the potential sale of the jets as leverage over Turkey in the weeks leading up to the summit.
The $20 billion sale, which the White House confirmed it will proceed with, includes 40 new F-16s. Additionally, the administration plans to deliver F-35s to Greece, which has faced Turkish incursions into its airspace.
Click here to read more from The Washington Examiner.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
