US President Donald Trump is known worldwide for his outspokenness and absurdity. Trump on Monday outright rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition to the sale of American F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye. He said that no outside leader affects America’s arms sales. He also said that no one should tell me what we should sell and what not.
Speaking to reporters aboard ‘Air Force One’, President Trump dismissed Israeli PM Netanyahu’s concerns over giving arms to Turkey and described Turkey as America’s “best ally”. Trump said, “Don’t let anyone tell me what we should sell. Türkiye has always been a great ally for me.”
Netanyahu reached Washington for talks
This comment of President Trump came when Netanyahu reached Washington for high-level talks with Trump on Monday. Regional security and the ongoing conflict with Iran will be the main agenda in the talks between the heads of the two countries. According to the report of the newspaper CNN, earlier this month, PM Netanyahu had expressed strong opposition to the possibility of selling American F-35 stealth fighter jet to Turkey. Not only this, he also warned that such a step would change the regional balance of power.
In an interview with CNN, PM Netanyahu said that he has personally requested President Trump not to give his approval to this sale because the US has indicated that it is considering removing the sanctions imposed during his first term. Netanyahu said, “Turkey will not become America’s friendly country just by purchasing America’s most modern fighter aircraft.”
Why is PM Netanyahu opposing the deal?
Referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he said that Ankara is a government that is influenced by the ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ and also hates America. The Israeli PM said, “He is not even America’s ideal ally.”
“He is threatening to destroy my country, the only Jewish country,” he said, according to a CNN report. Netanyahu also warned that giving these aircraft to Türkiye could have major consequences in the region. He said he has directly requested Trump not to sell fighter jets to Turkey because doing so would “upset the balance of power in the Middle East.”
Türkiye more loyal to us: Trump
According to American media reports, this came to light when President Trump said that his administration will soon decide whether F-35 fighter jets should be sold to Turkey despite the Congress ban. Besides, he also announced that the restrictions imposed by Ankara on purchasing Russian S-400 air defense system will be lifted.
Regarding the delivery of fighter jets to Turkey, Trump said, “We have had a good relationship with Turkey, and Turkey has been more loyal in many cases than countries that we thought would be loyal.” He also argued that many believe Turkey should be allowed to purchase the F-35 despite purchasing the Russian S-400 system.
Describing the F-35 jet as “the best jet ever made,” President Trump said the proposed sale was “certainly something we would consider.” According to CNN report, Turkish President Erdogan indicated that Ankara feels it is close to a deal to buy American F-35 fighter jets and American engines for Turkey’s own KAAN fighter aircraft.
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