Four Greek-American members of Congress have voiced strong concerns over reports of a proposed military sale of fighter jet engines to Turkey, warning that Ankara’s conduct threatens stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and key United States allies. A letter on the matter was also sent to Donald Trump by the American Hellenic Institute. Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Nicole Malliotakis, Mike Haridopolos, and Jimmy Patronis stated in a joint declaration that they are actively engaging with the U.S. government and House leadership to obtain additional information about the alleged sale and to express their strong opposition to any potential reinstatement of Turkey into the F-35 program without full compliance with the requirements of the CAATSA law (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act).
The intervention comes in the wake of an official notification sent to Congress by the Trump administration of its intention to approve a sale of engines valued at over $700 million to Turkey. According to Reuters, the engines are intended for Turkey’s KAAN fighter jet, and the matter has triggered reactions in Congress — both over the substance of the sale and over the review process for major defense exports.
The issue is linked to Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program following its acquisition of the Russian S-400 system. Washington had argued that Turkey could not simultaneously possess the Russian air defense system and the American fifth-generation fighter jet, while CAATSA sanctions and related restrictions remain a central point in discussions about the U.S.-Turkey defense relationship.
Greek-American lawmakers intervene: “Ankara’s extensive and contested maritime claims”
The four lawmakers note that, as Greek-American members of Congress, they are following the relevant reports with deep concern and argue that Turkey continues to serve as a destabilizing force in the region.
In their statement, they cite Ankara’s extensive and contested maritime claims, the ongoing illegal occupation of Cyprus, and the promotion of rhetoric that demonizes Israel.
They also point out that the Eastern Mediterranean holds significant potential to become a beacon of commercial opportunity, energy cooperation, and regional security. They emphasize that they have actively supported this effort through legislative initiatives and interventions.
However, they warn that Turkey’s rhetoric and actions are increasingly threatening key United States allies, jeopardizing these efforts and regional stability.
Special mention is made of Turkey’s sheltering of Hamas and the fact that, as they note, Ankara remains the only NATO member refusing to impose sanctions on Russia. The four lawmakers describe these issues as “deeply troubling.”
The intervention highlights the backlash in Congress over the prospect of further defense engagement with Turkey, as long as the issues of the S-400, CAATSA sanctions, and Ankara’s possible return to the F-35 program remain unresolved.
The American Hellenic Institute’s letter to Trump
The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) has also expressed its opposition to the proposed sale of GE F110 engines to Turkey for the KAAN fighter jet, as well as to any process that could lead to Ankara acquiring F-35s, in a letter addressed to U.S. President Donald Trump.
In the letter, dated June 26, 2026, AHI President and CEO Nick Larigakis calls on the U.S. government to halt the proposed defense sale, to respect Congress’s constitutional oversight role, and to ensure that Turkey does not acquire the F-35s as long as it does not meet the conditions required by U.S. national security law.
The letter was copied to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Lawton, and the U.S. Congress.
The AHI links the KAAN engine sale to the broader issue of the S-400s and Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program. The letter recalls that the first Trump administration imposed sanctions on Turkey under the CAATSA law following Ankara’s decision to acquire the Russian S-400 air defense system.
“Your administration reached the right conclusion in 2020, and we respectfully urge you to stand by that position,” the letter states. The AHI notes that nothing has changed since then, as Turkey continues to possess the Russian system and the national security concerns that led to the imposition of sanctions remain unresolved.
In the same vein, the Institute warns that advancing policies that would undermine those sanctions would also weaken the legal framework under which they were imposed.
Particular emphasis is also placed on the role of Congress. According to the letter, although the administration has proceeded with an official notification to Congress regarding the proposed sale, reports indicate that the process is moving forward despite objections from Congressional leaders and without adherence to the established consultation procedures that have traditionally governed major arms sales.
In this context, the AHI stresses that Congress’s constitutional oversight powers represent an essential safeguard in U.S. foreign and national security policy and must be fully respected.
The letter also levels broader criticism at Turkey’s conduct. The Institute argues that Turkey’s behavior over many years demonstrates that it is not a reliable NATO ally, citing the illegal occupation of the Republic of Cyprus, violations of Greek sovereignty in the Aegean, Ankara’s ties with Russia, and its stance toward destabilizing actors in the Middle East, such as Hamas.
The AHI also references the ongoing persecution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, placing the issue within the broader context of violations of international norms and U.S. law. “Rewarding such behavior with expanded defense cooperation sends the wrong message to both our allies and our adversaries,” the letter pointedly states.
The American Hellenic Institute contrasts Turkey’s conduct with the United States’ strategic relationships with Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, and other democratic allies in the Eastern Mediterranean, arguing that these relationships have served Washington well and must continue to be strengthened during a period of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
In conclusion, the AHI calls on the Trump administration to reverse its current policy direction toward Turkey, to uphold the rule of law, to respect the role of Congress, and to prevent any acquisition of F-35s by Ankara until the conditions imposed by U.S. law have been fully satisfied.
