AHI Sends Letter to Trump Urging F-35 Sanctions Remain on Türkiye
No. 22
WASHINGTON - On March 25, 2025, American Hellenic Institute president Nick Larigakis sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him to maintain sanctions placed on Türkiye through the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), following media reports of potential proposals being discussed which would lift these sanctions.
As a result of the sanctions placed through CAATSA, Türkiye was removed from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter partnership and was restricted from purchasing F-35s.
Türkiye was originally sanctioned under CAATSA following its purchase of the Russian-made S-400 missile system despite warnings from the previous Trump administration, which made it “clear to Turkey at the highest levels and on numerous occasions that its purchase of the S-400 system would endanger the security of U.S. military technology and personnel and provide substantial funds to Russia’s defense sector, as well as Russian access to the Turkish armed forces and defense industry.”
In the letter, President Larigakis explained that “Türkiye was clearly and repeatedly warned of being removed from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter partnership when they purchased the S-400 missile system, yet it did so anyway. Allowing Türkiye to reenter the program - and have its sanctions removed - by simply disposing of the missile system will send a message that the initial decision to purchase the missile system will ultimately go unreprimanded.”
He further stated that “Türkiye should dispose the S-400 missile system not in an attempt to gain leverage with the United States, but rather, because of its agreed responsibilities to our country and the NATO alliance. The U.S. cannot reward Türkiye for addressing an issue it created in the first place.”
To read the full letter, click here.
The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is a non-profit policy center and think tank founded in 1974 that promotes the interests of the United States in foreign affairs involving Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Southern Europe.
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