Türkiye expects US sale of F-16 jets to be concluded

Facing a Mideast region in crisis and several pressing bilateral issues, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on January 6.

They discussed the ongoing carnage in Gaza, the final steps to complete Türkiye’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO bid, and US approval for the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye, according to Anadolu Agency.

The meeting at Istanbul’s Vahdettin Mansion also included Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) head Ibrahim Kalin, Erdogan's chief adviser Akif Cagatay Kilic and US Ambassador to Ankara Jeff Flake.

According to the US State Department, at a meeting with President Erdogan, Secretary Blinken emphasized the need to prevent the conflict in Gaza from spreading, secure the release of hostages, expand humanitarian assistance and reduce civilian casualties, and work toward broader, lasting regional peace that ensures Israel’s security and advances the establishment of a Palestinian state. 

Blinken and Erdogan also discussed European security priorities, including defending Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, completing Sweden’s accession to NATO, and strengthening trade and investment between the United States and Türkiye.

Earlier in the day, Fidan and Blinken had met one-on-one.

"At the meeting, Ministers discussed the war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Sweden's NATO accession process, bilateral and regional issues," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on X.

Following his visit to Türkiye, through January 11, Blinken is set to proceed to Greece, Jordan, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank, and Egypt.

During his regional tour, according to the US State Department, Blinken will stress protecting civilian lives, releasing hostages, delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, restoring essential services, and preventing the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

He will also address urgent steps to reduce violence, calm rhetoric, and ease tensions, including deterring Houthi attacks in Yemen and avoiding escalation in Lebanon.

Blinken will reaffirm the US commitment to work with partners for Middle East peace, emphasizing progress towards a Palestinian state alongside Israel, said the department.

His visit comes amid a rising human catastrophe in the Gaza Strip due to both Israeli attacks and its blockade on the besieged strip.

Fidan and Blinken have held several phone calls and meetings since October 7 to discuss Gaza among other bilateral issues, including Sweden's NATO accession and the US sale to Türkiye of F-16 fighter jets.

The toll from the Israeli attacks since October 7 totals 22,600 dead and 57,910 injured, most of them women and children.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on October 7. Authorities claim the attacks by Hamas have killed around 1,200 Israelis.