The United States is prepared to let Türkiye back into its F-35 fighter jet program as long as the issue of its acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system is resolved, Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland has told CNN Türk, Paralel.Az reports.

“Frankly, if we can resolve this S-400 issue, which we want to do, the USA would be pleased to welcome Türkiye back into the F-35 family. But we must solve this other issue first, and while we solve it, we must also ensure that Türkiye has a strong air defense,” she said in an interview on the sidelines of a visit to Türkiye on Sunday, aimed at reinvigorating ties between the two countries.

On the matter of an agreement for the acquisition of US-made F-16 jets and modernization kits that still needs the approval of Congress, Nuland said that efforts have been made to convince US lawmakers that “Türkiye's development of the F-16 fleet is very important for American security, and that being fully active and participating at this level is important for burden sharing among the allies.”

“Türkiye's acquisition of these jets is a priority for the USA,” she added.