Four members of the U.S. Congress have signed agreements that have prevented arms sales to Turkey for nearly two years.
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Bob Menendez, House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Eliot Engel and House of Representatives Foreign Relations Committee member Mike McCaul — the United States has blocked arms sales to Turkey to put pressure on Turkey, Defense News reported.
It is known that the renewal of F-16 fighter jets has been halted and that the ATAK helicopters, which Turkey has agreed to sell to Pakistan, are not allowed to export to US-made engines. However, it has not been disclosed how many weapons deliveries have been blocked in total.
Jim Risch and Mike McCaul confirmed the allegations. “There are serious concerns in both two political parties and the Senate and the House of Representatives about Turkey's purchase of the S-400. I will not support the sale of arms to Turkey unless the problems are resolved on this issue”.
“It is unacceptable for Turkey to buy an S-400. The U.S. government must carry out sanctions that must be enforced by law against Turkey's move. Turkey must end its agreement with Russia in order to revive US trust. ” McCaul said.
“Our ultimate goal is not to punish, but to ensure that our NATO partner acts consistently with American national security and the security of our NATO partners,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who answered questions at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Early August.
