His categorical disagreement with the possibility of selling F-16 in Turkey repeated the senator Robert Menendez during an event held in New York to financially support his campaign. The event was organized by Yiannis Kalafatis, owner of York Studios and York Films, along with other well-known foreign businessmen.

The mobility seen in the diaspora to bolster the senator’s campaign stems from the fact that Mr. Menendez will be called upon to defend his position in the fall 2024 elections. In 2018, he managed to extend his term by defeating multimillionaire Bob Hagin, who spent $35 million of his personal fortune to unseat Robert Menendez; Despite the senator’s campaign raising just $11 million, Mr. Menendez managed to win by nearly 10 points. In 2024, Bob Hagin is expected to try to get his revenge, as the amount he will spend will reach $40 million.

There is no official information from the White House about Turkey and the F-16.

Speaking to ERT after the event, Senator Menendez once again expressed his strong disagreement with the possibility of selling the F-16 to Turkey, specifying that he had not received any official information from the White House regarding Turkey’s request. “I have not received any notification, which is obviously part of the arms sales process. The government didn’t send me any notice. So I think there is a difference between what is said in public and what is actually happening. But what I am sure of is that, whether there is a notification or not, under the current circumstances, I do not intend to agree to the sale of F-16s to Turkey,” he said.

Biden administration exerts behind-the-scenes pressure on Turkey over Syria

Contrary to the lukewarm stance of Biden administration officials, Mr. Menendez says the White House is exerting behind-the-scenes pressure to thwart Turkey’s planned ground invasion of northern Syria. As he explained, “Sometimes diplomacy is not done openly, publicly. Sometimes this is done in the background. I believe that the Biden administration is in close contact with Turkey, explaining the consequences of their actions and that there will indeed be consequences. And I hope Erdogan understands these calls from the government.”

In addition, Mr. Menendez expressed concern that Turkish strikes in Syria endangered the lives of American soldiers. “This is outrageous, this is completely unacceptable. We cannot put our troops at risk from anyone, much less a NATO ally. And you know, I think the government should be very clear with Turkey. Explain that even if by mistake our soldiers suffered in any way from the Turkish operation, there will be consequences.”

Finland and Sweden join NATO announcement: Turkey will face its responsibilities

Mr. Menendez calculated that Turkey would not be able to continue blackmailing Sweden and Finland precisely because it knew the American point of view. “I don’t think Turkey will be able to withstand the pressure. I know they are trying to get some sort of exchange from America and that is their decision. But at some point they will face their responsibilities and I don’t think Turkey wants to be in that position.”

^{Source: RES-IPE}