Biden talks F-16s, raises human rights at meeting with Turkey's Erdogan

U.S. President Joe Biden and Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan pose for a photo as they attend a bilateral meeting, on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit in Rome, Italy October 31, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

ROME (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden told Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan his request for F-16 fighter jets had to go through a process in the United States, while Erdogan said his counterpart was "positive" toward the jet sale.

Ties between Ankara and Washington have been strained over a host of issues in recent years, from policy differences in Syria to Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems, human rights and legal matters. The United States has also sanctioned Turkey over the S-400s.