Turkey’s relations with the US as well as the F-16 program were mentioned by the representative of the Turkish presidency, Ibrahim Kalin pointing out that his country is interested in moving the program forward, however, as he underlined “but if it does not move forward, it will not be the end of the world”.

“The US is one of the protagonists with whom we establish relations. It is an important factor, but we do not see the world from the US perspective. We don’t read our country through Washington. We do not attempt to understand our country through the analysts there. As our perspective, we have relations with Russia, with China, with the EU, the countries of NATO and the countries of Islam,” Ibrahim Kalin pointed out, as reported by SKAI’s correspondent from Istanbul, Manolis Kostidis, and added: “If they we will proceed with the steps we are asking for with Sweden, but if they do not do something then we will put this matter on hold”

Regarding the F-16s, he said characteristically: “We, of course, want the F-16 program to move forward. It is an important factor of our Air Force. But if it doesn’t go ahead it won’t be the end of the world. We have no intention of clashing. But we will not allow them to hold us hostage. We will consider other alternatives. The forces that pressured Turkey because it had no alternatives must see the new reality of Turkey. If you block Turkey with a concrete block in front of it, then Turkey will find another way, bypass it and continue on its way,” he concluded.