evidence: After Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Turkey’s strategic and military significance for NATO amid an evolving European security crisis may have contributed to the Administration decision to advance the F-16 transaction. Turkey uses F-16s in NATO missions based in the Baltic and Mediterranean Sea regions.50 [...] Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has heightened challenges Turkey faces in balancing its relations with the two countries, with implications for U.S.-Turkey ties. Turkey’s links with 59 Sebastien Roblin, "Turkey’s Very First Fighter Jet Made Its History-Shattering Flight," Popular Mechanics, February 29, 2024. [...] 67 Dorian Jones, "Turkey Strengthens Defense Industry with Its Ukraine Partnership," Voice of America, February 4, 2022.