AHI Condemns Administration’s Türkiye Defense Policy
No. 45
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following statement is attributable to AHI President Nick Larigakis:
“The American Hellenic Institute strongly condemns the Trump administration’s latest policy direction toward Türkiye, which reportedly seeks to advance defense cooperation with Türkiye at the expense of congressional oversight and adherence to U.S. law. Türkiye is a failed NATO partner that continues its illegal occupation of the Republic of Cyprus, routinely violates Greece’s sovereignty in the Aegean, undermines NATO cohesion through its ties with Russia, enables malign actors in the Middle East, including Hamas, and is a habitual violator of international law and norms, as well as U.S. law.
“President Donald Trump’s appeasement of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—per President Trump’s statement, ‘I’m going to probably do something that will make them very happy’—ahead of his expected meeting with Erdoğan at July’s NATO Summit hosted by Türkiye is deeply troubling.
“Türkiye’s role as host of the upcoming NATO Summit does not diminish its record of illegally occupying the Republic of Cyprus, violating international law, threatening Greece’s sovereignty, or undermining allied interests. Hosting an alliance meeting is not a justification for rewarding President Erdoğan or granting defense concessions that remain contrary to U.S. interests and congressional concerns.
“The Administration’s latest action to move ahead with the $700 million sale of GE F110 engines to Türkiye for its KAAN fighter, despite the objection of House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, is unacceptable. Equally troubling, the Administration reportedly bypassed congressional review without invoking emergency authority or providing a justification for doing so.
“Moreover, according to Vice President J.D. Vance, at President Trump’s direction, the administration is actively reviewing a pathway for Türkiye to obtain F-35 aircraft.
“Türkiye’s defense procurement agency remains subject to U.S. sanctions rightfully imposed during President Trump’s first Administration under CAATSA following Ankara’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system.
“In the best interests of the United States and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, AHI calls on the administration to adhere to the rule of law and reverse its policy direction toward Türkiye, particularly in light of its continued illegal occupation of the Republic of Cyprus, persistent violations of international law and U.S. law, repeated infringements on the sovereign rights of Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, and ongoing persecution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
“Congress must now exercise its constitutional oversight authority by acting to halt this proposed defense article sale to Türkiye and ensure Türkiye does not obtain F-35 aircraft under current conditions.”