If the US Does Not Want to Resolve the F-35 Issue, Turkey Will Consider Other Options: Cavusoglu

Turkey may turn to Russia if the US fails to resolve the dispute over the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets. This statement was made by the country’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

"If the US does not want to resolve the F-35 issue, or if the US Congress is blocking the deal, then Turkey will consider other options, including the purchase of (Russian) Su-35 or Su-57 aircraft," Cavusoglu said in an interview with CNN Türk.

Cavusoglu's comments align with similar statements from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who indicated that the United States must supply the F-35 fighter jets for which Ankara has already paid, or return the money, or offer Turkey something else in exchange.

Turkey has paid $1.4 billion for the F-35s before its removal from the joint development program in 2019 due to the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems.

Cavusoglu blamed various Congressional lobbies for the current situation. "Why did we buy the S-400? The United States did not sell us Patriot systems because of Congress, so we turned to other sources," he said, referring to the American-made Patriot missile system, over which Washington and Ankara failed to reach an agreement.

"Now Congress may take similar actions, but what is more important here is the position of the US administration," he added. "The administration can persuade Congress."