US frustrated that NATO ally Turkey has ‘problem’

Movement from the side Turkey are “making difficulties” the message of solidarity that the administration of US President Joe Biden wants to send to Russia in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In fact, the proposal of Sweden and Finland to join NATO is historic.

For the wishes of Finland and Sweden to become a reality, they must be approved by all 30 current NATO member states.

Turkey alone said it disagrees with Helsinki and Stockholm because the two countries “do not have a clear and unequivocal stance” against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Front (DHKP/C). ) – groups that Ankara considers a terrorist organization.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: AA

There are comments that Ankara’s move is aimed at “setting conditions” with NATO – such as lifting sanctions against them, wanting the US to return to the program to buy advanced F-35 aircraft.

“The reason why Turkey is sanctioned by NATO is because it bought the S-400 missile defense system from Russia. It also “displeased” its allies by participating in military adventures in Syria” – according to the report. The Hill.

Turkey creates an important security wall for NATO in the Black Sea. They have good relations with both Ukraine and Russia, so they are suitable as a conflict mediator for the two neighbors. However, the US side is disappointed with Ankara for its refusal to impose sanctions on Moscow after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a special military operation against Ukraine on February 24.

Therefore, many politicians and legislators consider Turkey a “necessary and important but problematic partner”.

“Turkey is an important partner of NATO. We have very important military facilities in Turkey and there is a good relationship between us” – Sen. Ben Cardin, Foreign Affairs Committee The US Senate, told The Hill – “Turkey is a good partner with Ukraine. We want Ankara to make sure it is a responsible partner by cutting ties with Russia. This could go against our security needs in NATO.”

Former NATO deputy secretary-general Rose Gottemoeller said she hoped Finland and Sweden’s bid to join the alliance would eventually succeed, but predicted that Turkey would “not easily accept it”.

Senator James Risch, a senior member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, assessed that Turkey’s relationship with NATO in general and the US in particular “has both pluses and minuses”.

“I don’t think there should be concessions to Turkey. In fact, they have not agreed to impose any sanctions of the United States and its allies on Russia” – Sen. Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee US Institute, stressed – “We should not agree to Turkey’s requests to buy more F-16 fighter jets. I am not in favor of sending F-16s to Turkey. They are still violating violate CAATSA (America’s Enemies Through Punishment) sanctions.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in his address to the National Assembly on May 17 also alluded to not selling arms to Turkey, although he did not specify the name.

President Joe Biden received the leaders of Finland and Sweden at the White House on May 19 and this is a sign of strong US support for the two Nordic countries joining NATO.

At an event in the Rose Garden that followed, Finnish Prime Minister Sauli Niinistö directly called on Turkey to support its accession to the bloc.