The delivery of F-16 fighter jets was a topic of conversation during a phone call between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Joe Biden on Sunday, according to the Turkish presidency. The two leaders also addressed Sweden and Ukraine's applications for NATO membership.

As per the readout, "The talks focused on Ukraine's status in NATO, Sweden's membership in NATO, the supply of F-16 aircraft and Turkey's process of full membership in the European Union (EU). The leaders agreed to meet in person in Vilnius (at the NATO summit) and discuss in detail Turkey-US bilateral relations and regional issues."

According to the presidency, Erdogan told Biden that "Sweden has taken some steps in the right direction by amending anti-terrorism legislation, but the fact that supporters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK/PYD/YPG), banned in Turkey, continue to freely hold demonstrations glorifying terrorism makes the steps taken futile."

The Turkish leader also criticized attempts to link Sweden's membership to Turkey's request for F-16 procurement and praised Biden for supporting Ankara's demand for F-16 fighter jet shipments.

The statement said that "declaring that Turkey is principled and honest about Turkey's EU membership, President Erdogan said that Ankara will revive the process of full EU membership and wants leading European Union countries and EU leaders to send a clear and strong message of support for Turkey's membership at the Vilnius summit."

Ukraine deserves NATO membership: Erdogan

Following a 2.5-hour meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday at the Vahdettin Mansion in Istanbul, Erdogan said Ukraine is fully deserving of NATO membership.

The Turkish head of state said that Ukraine "deserved" NATO membership and that Ankara hopes the conflict comes to a peaceful resolution, noting that Ankara plans to continue negotiations to end the conflict.

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Erdogan further said he expects Russian President Vladimir Putin to come for an official visit to Turkey in August, saying that his visit is going to take place "in the coming month" and that he could hold a personal meeting with Putin in the next two months. 

Ahead of Friday's meeting, Zelensky said he expects to discuss with Erdogan a number of pressing issues on Ukraine's agenda, including the Black Sea grain initiative, the prisoner swap program, and Ukraine's bid for NATO membership. 

NATO fumbles with indecision ahead of Vilnius summit

At a press conference during his visit to Slovakia, Zelensky called on the NATO alliance to resolve its indecision regarding Sweden and Ukraine's membership, AFP reported. 

Zelensky, who has been increasingly frustrated with the cautiousness of his Western allies in meeting Ukraine's demands, warned that indecision presents the alliance as being weak. The Ukranian chief added that expanding the alliance by admitting Ukraine and Sweden "is very important for the security of the whole world."

Zelensky's visit to Slovakia came after his visit to the Czech Republic and is expected to be followed by a visit to Turkey to hold talks with President Erdogan in anticipation of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Zelensky said he expects "positive results or at least some steps towards the positive outcome" at the Vilnius summit scheduled next week. 

He also said he expects to receive "defense packages" at the summit. "And not just promises, but with clear deadlines." 

In the same context, it was also reported today that President Erdogan seemed to leave leeway for Sweden's NATO accession as he was quoted saying by AFP that Turkey would "make the best decision, whatever it is" at next week's alliance summit in Vilnius. 

Background information

Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO last year, citing changes in the European security picture because of the Ukraine crisis. As Finland went on to become a member, Turkey and Hungary stymied Sweden's bid, with Budapest citing grievances over Stockholm's criticism of Hungary's Prime Minister and Ankara accusing Sweden of harboring what it considers Kurdish terrorists and, most recently, meddling in Turkish elections. 

Erdogan stated that mere changes in Swedish law regarding terrorism are insufficient for Ankara to approve its NATO bid.

Back in May, shortly after Erdogan's reelection, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said it was "absolutely possible" to decide on Sweden's NATO membership before the alliance's summit scheduled to take place on 11-12 July 2023, in Vilnius.