Greek PM hails US approval of F-35 sale

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed on Saturday the US State Department's decision to approve the sale of up to 40 advanced F-35 fighter jets to Greece.

Mitsotakis described the approval as "an important day for our national defense and for Greek diplomacy." He also received a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in relation to the decision.

After the US Congress gives its expected approval, the negotiation will begin for the acquisition of up to 40 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters and related equipment, which is estimated to cost $8.6 billion.

At the same time, the Department of State signaled to the US Congress its approval of the sale of 40 F-16 fighters to Turkey, along with upgrade kits for 79 F-16 planes Turkey has operated for years. The sale is worth an estimated $23 billion. The Associated Press reported that the US...