We will deliver the letter below with your signatures to the offices of Senators Cardin and Risch, and Representatives McCaul and Meeks, the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. 

Dear Senators Cardin and Risch, Representatives McCaul and Meeks,

We are writing because of the breaking news that the Biden Administration is in discussions to potentially allow Turkey back into the F-35 program and to approve the sale of GE Aerospace engines to Turkey. Because of the Turkish government’s violation and disregard of US law, its failure to act faithfully as an ally, its undermining of regional peace and stability and its growing collaboration with Russia, we ask you to reject Turkish requests for such defense articles at this moment.

The revelations in the 9/22 edition of Greece’s Kathimerini demonstrate that Administration
officials are continuing to give Turkey inadequate and mixed signals. While we welcome the
prospect of the US gaining control of the Russian S400s that Turkey possesses, this should be a precondition of any discussions between Washington and Ankara. Turkey violated US law (the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, “CAATSA”) and has remained in violation of CAATSA for years. The Erdogan government must comply with US law before giving it access to our most advanced weaponry is considered.

Beyond complying with CAATSA, Turkey has a lot to prove to the American people before it is given the privileged position of being readmitted to the F-35 program. It has demonstrated a willingness to use American made weapons with impunity against American allies and partners and contrary to American interests.

For several years, Turkey was using American F-16s to violate Greek territorial airspace,
including near Alexandroupolis – which has become a key US asset in supporting Ukraine.
While the overflights have been paused, Turkey still adheres to the “Blue Homeland” Doctrine – which makes expansive claims against Greek sovereignty. This past year Turkey has incorporated the Blue Homeland Doctrine into its school curriculum and sent its Navy to challenge (without any legal basis) work being done on the Great Sea Interconnector, a priority for US energy diplomacy and a project promoted by Congress in the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act.

Turkey has previously lent American F-16s to Azerbaijan for its assault on Artsakh, has used
American F-16s to bomb America's Kurdish partners in Syria, and has used American weapons to continue its 50 year occupation of the northern part of Cyprus and to attempt to stymie energy exploration and development in the Republic of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, where two American companies – Exxon and Chevron – are operating.

Since its ties with Russia originally resulted in Turkey’s expulsion from the F-35 program and
holds on other transfers of defense articles, it should be noted that since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Turkey has not only been a hub for sanctions evasion but has deepened its
collaboration with Russia in security and in strategic sectors.

In addition to continuing to possess Russian S400s, Ankara has worked with Russia to build a nuclear power plant at in Turkey and is reportedly discussing a second nuclear plant with
Moscow, moves that will further entrench Russia and Russians officials in Turkey - a NATO ally - for decades to come. There were also reports this week that Turkey has constructed and is transporting a floating dock for Russia across the Black Sea, for the ultimate purpose to service Russian Project 22220 nuclear-power icebreakers.

This is not the behavior of an ally. Turkey is undermining American interests and values from the Middle East to the Mediterranean, from Ukraine to the Arctic.

In June of 2023, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan conceded that Turkey is “charting an
independent foreign policy”. That “independence” has been translated by Ankara as:
collaborating with Russia; sponsoring and sheltering Hamas; blackmailing NATO; warmongering against Greece, Cyprus, Armenia, Syrian Kurds and Israel. This cannot be rewarded with access to F-35s or advanced American jet engines.

We urge you to reject Turkish requests for F-35s, for GE Aerospace Engines, and any further
defense articles as long as Ankara maintains the above policies.

Thank you.