Erdogan Links Sweden's NATO Approval to U.S. F-16 Delivery Again: A Breakdown
In an ongoing saga, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again tied his nation's nod for Sweden's NATO membership to the delivery of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets. Following the submission of Sweden's NATO application to their parliament, Erdogan's office issued a statement, addressing the U.S. directly, stating, "I expect the same from you too."[^1]
Previously, Erdogan had indicated that the approval of the U.S. Congress and the Turkish parliament for the F-16s should coincide.[^1] Upon his return from a trip to Qatar, he reiterated that the fighter jet deal had been a consideration since September.[^1]
The Swedish NATO accession protocol was submitted to the Turkish parliament for ratification in late October, where it remains within a committee. Given the Islamic-conservative governing alliance's majority in parliament, it's unlikely parliamentarians will act against the president's wishes.[^1]
