Erdogan Says US Failed to Keep its Promises on F-35s Ahead of NATO Summit

LOCAL NEWS

• Erdogan says US failed to keep its promises on F-35s, Patriots (Sunday), which is among the issues that will be discussed today alongside bilateral relations and regional stability in Libya and Afghanistan.
  • Noted, however, that Both sides must seek to put their troubles behind and underline the importance of alliances
• Erdogan will speak with leaders from France, UK Germany and Greece at today's NATO Summit in Brussels
• Analyst says a softening of the US stance on S-400s is not possible, given terms for CAATSA sanctions state the systems cannot be in Turkish territory and Biden is unlikely to directly go against congress on the matter.
• Sees a resolution at this meeting as more likely to be extended past today's meeting.
  • Another analyst notes, Turkish expectations going into the Biden-Erdogan meeting are especially high, while US' are low and doesn't expects much to come from the meeting, given Biden's aversion to strong men like Erdogan
• Erdogan announces larger $6bn currency swap with China to boost its reserves, up from $2.4bn initially
  • Turkey reaches 25% vaccination rate for dirst doses with 20m having received dose 1 and 13.7m fully vaccinated
• German Parliament rejects two separated arms embargo motions filed by the left and Green Parties, voting down the "no weapons to Turkey" bill and Motion calling for the cancellation of permits for submarine sales.
  • Last year Germany approved $27.8m in arms sales to Turkey – less than the prior year due to East Med tensions