NATO

The US State Department has given Congress the necessary assurances regarding Greece's security in the Aegean and the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, Congressman John Sarbanes told Greek TV station Open on Wednesday.

NATO is increasing its military presence in the Atlantic and Arctic regions. This is the first phase of the major military exercise "Steadfast Defender 2024", which will last until mid-March. From mid-February to the end of May, military personnel from the Arctic and the Eastern Flank will also be trained. Nearly 90,000 military personnel are participating in the exercise.

US President Joe Biden has made official the quid pro quo for the deal struck for Turkey to lift its hold on Sweden's NATO membership. The White House sent letters to members of Congress urging that they approve a $20 billion sale of F-16s to Turkey.

The modernization process of Türkiye's existing fleet of F-16s will commence without delay, immediately after the 15-day period granted to the U.S. Congress for potential objections to the sale of fighter jets and upgrade kits, says U.S. Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland.

The decision by the United States to offer Greece and Turkey advanced fighter jets, which will significantly enhance their military might, has different repercussions for the two Aegean neighbors.

Canada announced Monday it would no longer bar certain arms exports to Türkiye, a move that comes approximately a week after Ankara ratified Sweden's NATO membership.

Permits for military items and certain types of weapons destined for Türkiye "will now be reviewed on a case-by-case basis," the Canadian government said in a notice to exporters.

This was announced today by the State Department.
In Ankara, Nuland will meet with high-ranking officials of the Turkish government and business leaders with whom she will discuss a number of bilateral, regional and global issues on which the two countries cooperate.

Ending months of negotiations, the U.S. government on Friday approved a $23 billion deal to sell F-16 warplanes to Türkiye, after Ankara ratified Sweden's NATO membership, the State Department said.

As required by U.S. law, the State Department notified Congress of the agreement, as well as a separate $8.6 billion sale of 40 F-35s to Greece.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has expressed Türkiye's expectation from the United States to begin a process for the sale of 40 new F-16 warfighters and additional modernization kits after he approved Sweden's accession protocol to NATO.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has officially approved Sweden's entry into NATO with a formal decree, capping off a process that began with parliamentary approval for the Nordic country's bid.

"With this, a key milestone has been reached in Sweden's path towards NATO membership," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on X, welcoming Türkiye's move.