According to diplomatic sources, it is a matter of time before the official letter from the U.S. State Department for the approval of the sale of F-35s to Greece is issued – “a well-documented request that has completely matured for approval,” as stated by Kyriakos Mitsotakis a fortnight ago.
The same sources highlight another key aspect in Athens-Washington relations regarding military equipment. In the aftermath of the developments with Joe Biden’s letter to the U.S. Congress regarding the F-16s Turkey wants Greece underscores the significance of ensuring that the fighter jets should not be used against its sovereignty.
A Greek goal is therefore a letter from Antony Blinken to Congress that would guarantee the aircraft would not be used for aggressive purposes. Athens underlines that in any case, no one can block the sale of defensive equipment from the U.S. – such as the package to Turkey. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis is expected to be in the U.S. for a meeting with Blinken on February 9, as part of the start of the strategic dialogue between Greece and the U.S.
Regarding the F-35s, government sources reiterate the message conveyed by the PM’s Maximos Mansion after the recent meeting between Mitsotakis and Blinken in Chania that “Greece will receive what has been agreed upon as a reliable partner and ally.”
In the same direction, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, when asked about the developments with Biden’s letter, stated that the Greek-American agreement “is not determined by the programs between the U.S. and another state.”
