In a statement dated August 20, the US State Department’s Office of Legal Affairs reiterated Washington’s commitment to upholding US law, including the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), while also emphasizing the conditions surrounding Turkey’s acquisition of F-35 fighter jets.
The statement was issued in response to a letter sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio by 40 members of Congress, led by Democratic Representative Chris Pappas of New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, highlighting congressional concern over Turkey’s compliance and the potential implications of the F-35 deal.
Congressional initiative and support
The letter, signed by Paul D. Guaglianone, Senior Bureau Official and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Senate Affairs in the US Department of State’s Bureau of Legislative Affairs, stresses that “the Trump administration remains committed to protecting US defense and intelligence resources and complying with US law, including CAATSA.”
Guaglianone, who has previously served as a legislative staffer in both the Senate and House of Representatives, played a key role in conveying the administration’s position in response to congressional concerns.
The initiative received wide support from the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, the Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance, and various Greek-American, American Jewish, and Armenian organizations.
In response to Congressional pressure, the State Department reiterates U.S. policy that Turkey remains barred from the F-35 program based on its acquisition of the Russian S-400 system and that section 1245 of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act remains in effect.
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US State Department position on Turkey’s defense acquisitions
The State Department emphasized that the US stance on Turkey’s acquisition and continued possession of the Russian S-400 missile system remains unchanged. It reiterated that the conditions for Turkey to procure F-35 fighter jets from the United States are well known, including provisions outlined in Section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.
Washington has repeatedly made clear to Ankara that acquiring Russian defense systems carries serious consequences for the F-35 program. At the same time, the State Department emphasized Turkey’s role as a longstanding NATO ally with a history of significant contributions to Alliance missions.
Maintaining strategic ties
“The defense relationship with Turkey remains vital to the security interests of both the United States and NATO,” the letter states. The US seeks to collaborate with Ankara on shared objectives and maintain dialogue to resolve differences, despite clear concerns over the S-400 purchase.
The communication underscores the delicate balance Washington aims to maintain: enforcing US law and safeguarding defense programs while preserving strategic ties with a key NATO ally.
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