The Trump administration formally notified Congress its intent to sell $700 million of jet engines to Turkey, yesterday, June 25.
This policy stands in stark contrast to the initiatives AHEPA and the U.S. Congress have championed in limiting and preventing Turkey from acquiring U.S. weaponry.
Congress has 15 days to introduce legislation to block the sale, which would necessitate the Senate and House’s approval before heading to President Trump’s desk, where the initiative could be vetoed.
Supreme President E. Chris Kaitson, in response, has written the following and mobilized AHEPA’s political efforts in an attempt the block the sale. The letter reads as follows:
Dear Mr. President,
As Supreme President of the Order of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) and on behalf of the 1.2 million Greek American and Philhellenes in the United States, we are deeply disturbed at the developments regarding the current administration’s reversal in policy regarding the Republic of Türkiye’s purchase of F-35 airplanes, engines, upgrades and technology.
Türkiye has repeatedly demonstrated that it is neither a reliable ally nor a dependable strategic partner in advancing American interests or preserving stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government has consistently pursued policies that undermine regional security, weaken democratic institutions, and disregard the rule of law.
They’ve been accused of restricting religious freedom, violating international law, persecuting religious minorities, suppressing freedom of the press and political dissent, and imprisoning thousands of journalists, political opponents, and civil society activists. These actions stand in sharp contrast to the democratic values shared by the United States and its closest allies.
Furthermore, Türkiye has repeatedly challenged NATO cohesion through actions that conflict with Alliance objectives, threatened neighboring countries, complicated U.S. strategic interests in the region, and maintained policies that have adversely affected the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the historic Greek Orthodox community in Türkiye. It has also asserted expansive maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean that have heightened regional tensions.
The result of these tensions, as per the 2020 NDAA, was an explicit ban on the transfer of F-35 aircrafts, parts and technical data until Turkey could prove to the U.S. Secretary State and War that it no longer possesses Russian S-400 missile systems and will not acquire or host similar Russian systems in the future. As of today, June 26, 2026, Turkey is still in possession of Russian S-400 missile systems.
Mr. President, I respectfully urge you to preserve the longstanding bipartisan policy of ensuring that America’s most advanced military technology is entrusted only to dependable allies that consistently uphold our shared strategic and democratic values.
Thank you for your consideration of this important matter and for your continued leadership in protecting America’s national security interests and those of its democratic allies.
Sincerely,
E. Chris Kaitson
Supreme President
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