Turkey eyes lifting U.S. CAATSA sanctions before U.S. midterms

ANKARA, March 3 (Reuters) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said work was underway with the United States to lift sanctions imposed ​on Ankara before the U.S. midterm elections in November, ‌but added Israel was opposed to the potential move.

In 2020, Washington imposed CAATSA sanctions on fellow NATO member Turkey over its acquisition of ​Russian S-400 systems. It also removed Ankara from ​the F-35 fighter jet programme, a move Turkey called ⁠unjust and illegal.

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The sides are seeking a workaround to lift ​sanctions and allow Ankara to buy the jets. Little progress ​has been made even though U.S. President Donald Trump has good ties with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, raising hopes in Turkey that a ​solution can be found this year.

Asked during a Ramadan fast-breaking ​dinner on Tuesday with members of Turkish media if Israel - which Turkey ‌has ⁠criticised fiercely over its assault on Gaza - opposed the U.S. lifting the sanctions, Fidan said Israel did not want regional countries to obtain certain capabilities.

“That is the mode they are ​in now. Let’s ​see, these ⁠battles will continue. Everyone will play the cards in their hands somehow,” he said, according ​to a transcript of his comments on Wednesday.

“Work ​is ⁠underway to obtain a result on CAATSA before the midterms. We have taken the political steps. We’ll see,” Fidan added.

Fidan’s comments ⁠come ​as the United States and Israel are ​at war with Iran, Turkey’s neighbour. Ankara has condemned the U.S. and ​Israeli offensive against Tehran.

Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Jonathan Spicer

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