Turkey seeks greater NATO influence as US lawmakers block F‑35 sale

President Recep Erdogan is using the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara to press for a larger regional role, while the United States weighs a potential sale of F‑35 fighter jets to Turkey. A bipartisan group of US legislators sent a joint letter to Secretary of State Antony Blanchett and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urging the administration to reject the sale, arguing that it would threaten U.S. military technology, especially given Turkey’s deployment of the Russian S‑400 system, and would send the wrong signal to traditional allies such as Greece, Cyprus and Israel.

Greek officials and commentators have criticised their own government’s response, warning that Turkey’s moves could further destabilise the Eastern Mediterranean and undermine NATO cohesion. The debate highlights growing friction between Turkey’s ambitions and the security concerns of the U.S. and its regional partners.

The issue remains unresolved as the NATO summit approaches, with potential implications for defense cooperation, regional stability and the future of U.S.–Turkey relations.