Türkiye sees positive signals in talks with Washington over F-35s

Ulviyya Poladova

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Türkiye continues talks with Washington over the delivery of six F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets it has already paid for, Turkish Deputy Defense Minister Alpaslan Kavakl?o?lu said.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a defense exhibition in Washington, Kavakl?o?lu expressed hope that an agreement would be reached soon. He also referred to a letter sent to US authorities by Turkish Defense Minister Ya?ar Güler on the issue.

Kavakl?o?lu noted that progress had also been made in discussions on lifting sanctions imposed on Türkiye under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

"Both sides are approaching this issue positively. We expect the problems in relations between Ankara and Washington to be resolved soon," he emphasized.

The deputy minister also did not rule out the possibility of establishing joint US-Turkish defense production facilities in third countries.

"Relations between Türkiye and the United States are currently at a very high level, and this is reflected in the dialogue between the two countries' leaders," Kavakl?o?lu added.

Despite ongoing contacts and Ankara’s cautious optimism, the delivery of the F-35 jets dependent on resolving the fundamental dispute over the S-400 missile systems. While the two sides continue to discuss possible solutions, the timeline for handing over the aircraft remains uncertain.