Washington’s debate over Turkey’s possible return to the F-35 fighter jet programme has turned into a new test of trust, law, and alliance politics, according to a news report from Euro News.
The White House has signalled that it wants closer ties with Ankara, but some members of Congress are pushing back hard. Their concern is simple: Turkey was removed from the programme in 2019 after it bought Russia’s S-400 air defence system, and they do not want that restriction lifted without clear guarantees.
The issue gained fresh momentum after President Donald Trump met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Even so, no official decision has been announced on whether Turkey will be allowed back into the programme.
In Athens, the reaction is cautious but firm. Greek officials say they do not claim a veto over US arms decisions, but they argue they have every right to raise security concerns that affect regional stability. They point to ongoing tensions with Turkey, including disputes in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean, challenges to Greek sovereign rights, and a long-standing Turkish parliamentary justification for war from 1995.
Greek leaders are calling for any sale of advanced weapons to include strong safeguards so the systems cannot be used against another NATO member.
On Capitol Hill, the opposition has already begun to organize. Democratic Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada led a letter signed by 18 lawmakers urging House leadership to defend current US law and prepare to block any move that would bring Turkey back into the F-35 programme.
Supporters of the restrictions say the law is clear. Congress passed sanctions under CAATSA, aimed at countries that buy major Russian defence equipment, and later added provisions tying Turkey’s return to the F-35 programme to the removal of the S-400 system.
The central fear in Washington is not only political, but technological. US officials worry that a Russian made S-400 operating near the F-35 could collect sensitive data about the fighter’s stealth systems and capabilities.
There is also discussion of whether Turkey could send the S-400s away or transfer them to a third country, a move that might weaken the legal barrier. But for now, the issue remains unresolved, with the White House leaning toward engagement and Congress holding the line.
