As Long as Erdogan Has Not Stopped His Threats, I Will Not Approve That Sale: Menendez

The Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez, has pledged to continue blocking the transfer of military aircraft to Turkey unless Ankara improves its human rights situation and ceases threatening U.S. regional allies. According to Politico, Menendez stated, “I am firmly opposed to the Biden administration's proposed sale of new F-16 aircraft to Turkey,” accusing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of undermining international law, ignoring human rights and democratic norms, and exhibiting alarming and destabilizing behavior towards Turkey and neighboring NATO allies.

“As long as Erdogan has not halted his threats, has not improved the human rights situation in Turkey, including through the release of journalists and political opposition, and has not started to behave like a reliable ally should, I will not approve that sale,” Menendez added.