Many members of the Senate believe that consideration of her case is impossible. sale of F-16 to Turkey before Ankara allows its accession Finland And her Sweden V NATO reported yesterday, among other things, Sen. Chris Van Hollen. During a conversation with the director of “Kathimerini” Alexis Papahela in its context 4th South Eastern Europe and Eastern Mediterranean Forumwhich is organized “TO”, Delphi Economic Forum And HALCFirst, Mr. Van Hollen noted that “our hearts go out to those who died in Turkey and Syria, and the US is sending emergency aid right now.”

Mr. Van Hollen stressed that Turkey is a very important country for NATO, but Erdogan has gone down a “very bad path.” Mr. Erdogan, in his words, “was not a loyal partner, he is a false ally.” If Turkey gave Finland and Sweden the go-ahead to join NATO, “the resistance in the Senate would certainly decrease,” said Mr. Van Hollen, who, however, indicated that, in his opinion, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed. . be addressed. And he stressed that Turkey should be asked for guarantees to promote the sale of the F-16.

The inclusion of Finland and Sweden in NATO is a prerequisite, Senator Chris van Hollen, among others, said yesterday.

The senator acknowledged that “it would be unusual” to legislate restrictions on the use of the F-16, but noted that “a loyal NATO ally does not violate the airspace of another NATO ally.” In addition, he referred to the expulsion of Turkey from F-35 programrecalling that this happened because they were purchased by Ankara Russian S-400 missileswhich could undermine the safety of fifth-generation fighters in the future.

Referring to the Greek F-35 program, Mr. Van Hollen said that one should not depend on the other, namely the supply of F-16s from Turkey. Regarding the process with the Turkish F-16s, he noted that no formal requests have been filed at this time requiring action by the Senate. According to Mr. Van Hollen, President Biden and the administration will not move the request forward in Congress unless they know it can be approved. “And right now I think there is a majority that can veto” the F-16 question, added Mr. Van Hollen, who stressed that it is vital that Finland and Sweden join NATO to counter Russian aggression.