Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) may be willing to drop his hold on the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey but is not yet convinced after Ankara agreed to allow Sweden to join NATO.
Menendez, who has effective veto power over major military sales as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, has long been opposed to a $20 billion upgrade to Turkey's air force, citing its military incursions into Greece's airspace. The concerns are part of broader reservations that Turkey, itself a member of NATO, is not a reliable ally.
MARINE CORPS LED BY ACTING COMMANDANT FOR FIRST TIME IN 100-PLUS YEARS AMID TUBERVILLE HOLD
Turkey has sought to rectify that reputation in recent months, beefing up its relationship with Ukraine despite criticism it had become too cozy with Russia. Its decision to hold up Sweden's entry into NATO, however, has led to friction with the West.
Turkey dropped that opposition on Monday, ahead of the alliance's summit in Lithuania, apparently helping ease Menendez's hesitation on giving the country F-16s.
But he said the administration, which had dangled the F-16 sales over Turkey ahead of the summit, has not yet done enough to win his support.
Speaking to reporters on Monday evening, he called for "assurances" from President Joe Biden that Greece's security would be enhanced so it has a "qualitative advantage" in the region.
"We're having conversations with the administration. I still have concerns," he said. "I've told them about those concerns. If they can find a way to ensure that Turkey's aggression against its neighbors ceases ... then there may be a pathway."
That pathway could come quickly — he told reporters that if there is to be a deal, he expects it would come together in the next week.
But he said the Biden administration's intention to deliver Greece with F-35 jets is not sufficient for him to drop his hold. Neither is the lull in what he called Turkey's "belligerence" toward Greece, another member of NATO.
He declined to specify what military hardware would give Greece an edge.
Menendez joined U.S. officials on Monday in hailing the breakthrough on Sweden, one of two countries that applied to become NATO members following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"Sweden deserves on its merits to be part of NATO. It's a force multiplier for NATO and shares our values," he said.
Turkey had previously held up accession of the other country, Finland, but allowed it to join in March.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The Biden administration signaled on Tuesday that it would allow the F-16 sale to Turkey to move forward.
"Biden has been clear and unequivocal. For months, he supported the transfer of F-16s," national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters. "He has placed no caveats or conditions on that, and he intends to move forward."