Greek-American congresswoman’s F-35 provocation! She openly discussed anti-Türkiye lobbying activities
Greek-American Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis spoke to Kathimerini about her efforts to oppose Türkiye’s re-inclusion in the F-35 program. Malliotakis stated that they are using their “voices and political influence” in Congress to prevent Türkiye from acquiring the F-35s, and called on the Greek-American community to work together with AIPAC and Armenian organizations.
While Türkiye’s return to the F-35 program is being debated in the US, Greek-American Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis has made hostile, anti-Türkiye statements.
Malliotakis, in an interview with the Greece-based Kathimerini newspaper, explicitly stated his opposition to Türkiye regaining access to F-35 fighter jets. Malliotakis, known for his close ties to US President Donald Trump, argued that Ankara should not be given the most advanced US military technologies at this stage.
What was noteworthy in Malliotakis’s statements was not only his opposition to the F-35. The US representative also stated that they were actively working in Congress to prevent Türkiye from acquiring these aircraft.
“WE USED OUR VOICES AND LOBBYING EFFORTS.”
Responding to Kathimerini’s question , “Can Congress really prevent such a sale?” , Malliotakis expressed doubts about whether Congress could be decisive in the matter.
However, he then went on to describe the efforts they were making to prevent Türkiye from acquiring F-35s.
Malliotakis stated , “We can use our voice and political influence, and we did. We very clearly opposed this.”
The US lawmaker also argued that the Trump administration likely has the ability to proceed with the sale of F-35s to Türkiye without congressional approval.
TURKEY IS THE TARGET: “F-35S SHOULD NOT BE DELIVERED”
Malliotakis also listed the reasons why he opposes Türkiye’s return to the F-35 program.
Citing Türkiye’s relations with Russia and Iran, the claim that Hamas leadership is located in Türkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statements regarding Israel, and Türkiye’s stance on the US operation against ISIS, Malliotakis argued that providing Ankara with F-35s would pose a risk to the US.
Malliotakis said that Türkiye should not have access to the most advanced US military technologies at this stage.
HE CONFESSED HIS FEAR: “Türkiye IS AN ALLY ONLY ON PAPER.”
Kathimerini’s headline for the interview also came from Malliotakis’s remarks about Türkiye.
The US lawmaker alleged that despite being a NATO ally, Turkey, under President Erdoğan’s administration, often acts like an “adversary” toward other NATO members and countries in the region.
According to Malliotakis, Turkey is “a NATO ally only on paper”.
In making this assessment, it was claimed that Israel, Armenia, Cyprus, and Greece were concerned about Türkiye’s purchase of F-35s.
GREEK LOBBY CALLS FOR NEW MOVE AGAINST Türkiye.
One of the most striking parts of the interview emerged from the question regarding the political influence of the Greek-American community in Washington.
Malliotakis said that the Greek-American community is still “very strong and influential .” But he went further, arguing that Greek organizations should form alliances with other groups.
Malliotakis’s examples were noteworthy: AIPAC and Armenian organizations.
A Greek lawmaker claimed that Türkiye is not a true ally for NATO. (Archive)
The US representative stated that these groups share similar concerns on many issues and that acting together would increase the influence of the Greek-American community. Malliotakis specifically noted that this cooperation would strengthen the common message regarding preventing Türkiye from acquiring F-35s.
A CALL FOR A “STRONGER VOICE” FOR GREECE AND CYPRUS IN WASHINGTON.
Malliotakis also said it was important for Greek-Americans in Congress to speak out more strongly on Greece and Cyprus.
Malliotakis stated that they informed their counterparts in Washington about the importance of Greece and Cyprus, and in this context, they raised issues such as Türkiye’s Cyprus policy, military flights in the Aegean, and the delivery of F-35s to Türkiye.
This statement revealed that the F-35 debate was not limited solely to U.S. defense policy, but that the resentment stemming from political initiatives centered in Greece and Cyprus was also part of the discussion in Washington.
MESSAGE TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION: “CONGRESS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO STOP IT”
Malliotakis believes the Trump administration can proceed with the sale of F-35s to Türkiye without facing obstacles from Congress.
According to the US lawmaker, the administration can use its own authority to lift the previously imposed ban.
This statement does not mean that anti-Turkey initiatives in Congress can definitively block the F-35 sale. Malliotakis also responded, “I don’t think so,” regarding whether Congress could prevent it.
SEEKING ALLIES FROM WITHIN: “UNDERSTANDING THE THREATS POSED BY Türkiye”
Another target of Malliotakis’s criticism was US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The US representative described Rubio as one of the strongest supporters of US-Greece-Cyprus relations.
Malliotakis argued that Rubio understood very well the importance of Greece and Cyprus to the strategic interests of the United States, and that he believed Rubio also understood the threats that Türkiye allegedly posed.
Malliotakis stated that Trump was pleased to have someone like Rubio on his side in foreign policy.
WHAT IS THE LEGAL OBSTACLE IN THE F-35 DEBATE?
While talks continue between Washington and Ankara regarding Türkiye’s return to the F-35 program, one of the most significant issues hindering the process remains the S-400 air defense system purchased from Russia.
According to Anadolu Agency’s analysis, following Türkiye’s procurement of S-400s, the US imposed sanctions under CAATSA in 2020 and removed Ankara from the F-35 program. The main justification given by the US was the security risk that the S-400 system could pose to the sensitive technologies of the F-35s and NATO systems.
PRESSURE ON Türkiye REGARDING THE F-35 CONTINUES.
Political and legal debates continue in the US regarding Türkiye’s return to the F-35 program.
Malliotakis’s recent interview with Kathimerini clearly revealed the efforts of some Greek-American members of Congress in Washington to oppose Türkiye’s acquisition of F-35s.
TRUMP’S MESSAGE TO Türkiye REGARDING F-35S: “WE WILL ADDRESS THE ISSUE”
During his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the NATO Summit in Ankara, US President Donald Trump gave positive signals regarding Türkiye’s request for F-35s.
US President Donald Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (AA)
Trump stated that relations between Turkey and the US were good, adding, ” We will address the F-35 issue .” The US President also highlighted Turkey’s position in NATO and its defense capabilities, stating that discussions with Ankara regarding the F-35s were ongoing.
Trump had also stated that he was open to lifting CAATSA sanctions against Turkey, sending the message, “We don’t want to impose sanctions on our friends.”
President Erdoğan, prior to the NATO Summit, stated that Trump had promised him regarding Türkiye’s F-35 request and that he expected positive results from the talks.
