Biden’s public thank you to Erdogan for Finland – Sweden

LAST UPDATE: 20.34

A public thank you from US President Joe Biden to his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan for his stance on the issue of Finland-Sweden accession to NATO and his work in efforts to de-escalate the food crisis with Ukraine in cereals short meeting in front of the cameras.

Biden, in brief remarks ahead of their meeting on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid, also thanked Erdogan for Ankara’s efforts to help “free” grain from Ukraine.

For his part, Erdogan said he hoped diplomacy would help resolve issues surrounding Ukraine’s grain exports. In this brief communication in front of the cameras, the Turkish president did not mention the issue of the F-16, but expressed his joy that he met Biden “after a long time”. Their meeting later lasted about an hour.

The two leaders last met in October 2021 and spoke by phone earlier this year.

It is noted that with the announcement of the signing of the joint memorandum by Turkey, Finland and Sweden, which lifts the Ankara veto for the accession of the two countries of Northern Europe, the questions regarding the exchanges that Turkey may have received.

If a senior announces the signing of the memorandum A White House official was quick to point out that the US “did not offer anything” to Ankara in order for it to change its position. It seems, therefore, that any concession made to Turkey will come as a reward for its actions and not as something that the Turkish president demanded and took. It does not matter if he will present it this way inside in order to reap other pre-election points.

The Bloomberg news agency previously reported that the two presidents would discuss the sale of dozens of new F-16 fighter jets to modernize the Turkish fleet. According to the agency, Erdogan is trying to take advantage of the relatively positive atmosphere in relations with NATO and the United States after a period of cold relations due to the purchase of advanced Russian anti-aircraft systems by his government.

Meanwhile, Celeste Wallander, the US Assistant Secretary of Defense, appeared to state publicly earlier (on the record) that “the US fully supports the plans to modernize Turkey’s F-16 fleet”. “These plans are underway and must be implemented through the procurement process, but the US supports the modernization of Turkey’s fighter fleet, because it contributes to NATO security. Ισχυ Turkey’s strong defense capabilities contribute to a strong NATO defense “, Wallander continued.