Erdogan rejects Israeli and Greek concerns over potential US sale of F-35s to Turkey

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - ANKARA — President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday dismissed objections from Israel and Greece concerning the possible US sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.

Speaking at a news conference at the end of the two‑day summit he hosted, the Turkish president said opposition raised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Greece’s Kyriakos Mitsotakis “have no place in my world.”

Erdogan said Ankara has never objected to Greece's defense acquisitions and expected the same approach in return.

The Turkish president added that Ankara continues to hold defense procurement talks with various countries and is shaping its policies accordingly.

“Hopefully, when the F-35s are delivered to Turkey, the whole world will say America kept its promise,” Erdogan said.

His remarks came after Ankara earlier in the day dismissed Israeli concerns about Turkey’s potential acquisition of F-35s as “disinformation.”

“The baseless allegations recently circulated by Israeli officials in a coordinated manner and with calculated timing are part of a disinformation campaign,” the Turkish foreign ministry said.

“Netanyahu and his partners in crime deliberately distort any criticism directed at them and seek to divert attention through a systematic propaganda effort.”

Netanyahu on Monday publicly urged the United States not to sell the jets to NATO ally Turkey, arguing it would “upset the power balance” in the region.

Erdogan said the 2026 NATO summit in Ankara concluded "successfully," describing it as a "historic" gathering that will help shape the alliance's future at a time of heightened security challenges across the Euro-Atlantic region.

"We have successfully concluded our NATO summit, which we hosted in our country for the second time in 22 years and for the first time in our capital, Ankara," Erdogan said at the news conference.

He said the meeting came at a critical moment for Euro-Atlantic security and would have lasting significance for the alliance.

"This historic summit, which we hosted at a time when Euro-Atlantic security is being tested, has been conducted in a manner that will shape our common future," he said.

Erdogan said Turkey has had to contend with regional crises and terrorism for decades without benefiting from the post-Cold War "peace dividend" enjoyed by many European countries.

"There were times when we were left alone and treated unfairly. Therefore, we often had to rely on our own capabilities," he said.

He noted that those efforts have enabled Turkey to surpass many NATO allies in defense spending, military capabilities and the strength of its defense industry.

Highlighting Turkey's military role within NATO, Erdogan said the country commands the alliance's second-largest land force and has long served as the cornerstone of security on NATO's southeastern flank.

He said the country is among the few NATO members capable of producing its own fighter aircraft, tanks, naval vessels and air defense systems.

Erdogan also renewed his call for the removal of remaining restrictions on defense trade among NATO allies.

Erdogan said his US counterpart Donald Trump has taken a "positive approach" on delivering F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, while also saying that US sanctions against Ankara have been largely removed.

Trump had announced during a meeting with Erdogan on Tuesday that the US will lift sanctions on Turkey that were issued after Ankara purchased Russian missile defense systems in 2019. The move led to the country being kicked out of the F-35 fighter jet program.

Asked about his meeting with Trump and whether Washington had linked a possible F-35 sale to Turkey Russian-made S-400 air defense system, Erdogan declined to elaborate.

"Keep watching us," he replied.

The Turkish president said defense cooperation would remain "one of the key pillars" of Turkish-US relations, alongside expanding economic ties.

Erdogan urged renewed diplomatic efforts to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, saying the region cannot endure further conflict.

Erdogan said the Ukraine conflict has entered its fifth year and has become a war of attrition with heavy casualties.

"This war of attrition has turned into a slaughter machine, claiming tens of thousands of casualties every month," he said.

Erdogan said Turkey has consistently advocated dialogue and diplomacy since the conflict began and reaffirmed Ankara's offer to facilitate negotiations.

Erdogan said Israeli attacks on Lebanon have continued despite diplomatic efforts, resulting in nearly 5,000 deaths since March 2, forcing civilians to flee, destroying cities and, in his words, leading to the gradual seizure of Lebanese territory.

He also condemned Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip, saying “occupation and oppression continue unabated.”

More than 73,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been killed in Gaza, Erdogan noted. "Those who see their own security in the instability of the region are trying to extinguish even the smallest glimmer of peace," he said.

He warned against encouraging what he described as a "war-addicted mentality" and stressed that the region urgently needs stability.

Erdogan said he repeatedly raised the war in Gaza during the summit discussions, describing the conflict as one of the Middle East's gravest crises.

On regional security, Erdogan said Turkey remains committed to helping preserve stability in the Strait of Hormuz.

"We are doing everything we can and will continue to do so," he said, underlining the need to avoid the Strait of Hormuz becoming a theater of war. “If we can achieve that, we will be very pleased.”

Turning to Ankara's decades-long aim to join the EU, Erdogan said he would continue pressing European leaders to advance Ankara's accession process.

He said he had raised the issue with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and planned to discuss it further with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other EU leaders.