Cavusoglu says he expects US to approve F-16 sale

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday said he expected the United States to approve a $20 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, saying the planned acquisition is in line with the "joint strategic interests" of both Washington and Ankara.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is hosting Cavusoglu in Washington, for the first time since the Biden administration took office almost two years ago, in a visit during which the Ukraine war, F-16 deal and Ankara's refusal to green light NATO membership for Sweden and Finland will be front and center.

The Biden administration has expressed its support for the sale of the jets to Turkey, despite opposition from the US Congress over Ankara's problematic human rights record and Syria policy, as it seeks to keep NATO unity in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking before a meeting with...