Improvement in Turkish-US ties will be limited

Significance

The deadly tremors on February 6 have ushered in a period of calm in bilateral relations, and Ankara is signalling that it could lift its veto on NATO’s enlargement to Finland and Sweden. However, the United States is concerned about Turkey's Russia ties.

Impacts

• Turkey’s veto on Sweden's NATO membership will complicate the US sale of F-16 fighter jets.
• Both Democrats and Republicans in the US Congress remain sceptical of Erdogan and Turkish foreign policy.
• Turkey will not cut ties to Russia, no matter who wins in the presidential and parliamentary elections.