A bipartisan initiative is underway in the U.S. Congress to prevent Turkey from rejoining the F-35 fighter jet program. The effort is being led by Democratic Representative Dina Titus of Nevada following comments by President Donald Trump suggesting that a new defense arrangement with Ankara could be possible ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in Turkey.

Recent remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have clarified that Turkey remains effectively locked out of the F-35 Lightning II program, despite recent speculation that relations between Washington and Ankara might be improving. Testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rubio stated that current U.S. law prevents Turkey from purchasing or operating the fifth-generation fighter as long as it retains the Russian-made S-400 air defense system.

The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is calling for CAATSA sanctions to be maintained and for Turkey not to rejoin the F-35 fighter program in a letter sent to Donald Trump.