File photo.
American Hellenic Institute (AHI) President Nick Larigakis has sent a letter to US President Donald J. Trump, urging him to uphold the sanctions imposed on Turkey under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). His appeal follows media reports suggesting that discussions are underway regarding a possible lifting of these sanctions.
Under CAATSA, Turkey was removed from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program and barred from purchasing the aircraft. The sanctions were imposed after Turkey acquired the Russian-made S-400 missile system, despite repeated warnings from the previous Trump administration that the purchase “would endanger the security of US military technology and personnel and provide substantial funds to Russia’s defense sector, as well as Russian access to the Turkish armed forces and defense industry.”
In his letter, Larigakis emphasized that Turkey was fully aware of the consequences of acquiring the S-400 system yet proceeded with the purchase. He argued that allowing Turkey to rejoin the F-35 program simply by disposing of the missile system would “send a message that the initial decision to purchase the missile system will ultimately go unreprimanded.”
Furthermore, he stressed that Turkey should eliminate the S-400 system not as a bargaining tool with the US but as a demonstration of its commitment to its obligations toward the United States and NATO. “The US cannot reward [Turkey] for addressing an issue it created in the first place,” Larigakis said.