Turkey Warns of Consequences of US Sanctions on NATO Related to S-400

Turkey warns that US sanctions related to the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems will negatively impact joint operations within NATO. Ankara expects Washington to reconsider this decision, according to RIA Novosti.

The US had previously imposed sanctions against Turkish officials and institutions responsible for the S-400 acquisition. "We will do everything possible to ensure that US sanctions do not harm us in any way. This will adversely affect our joint operations with NATO. The United States should immediately return to reviewing this erroneous decision. We expect it to be rectified," said Defense Minister Hulusi Akar during a broadcast on NTV.

The delivery of Russia’s advanced S-400 air defense systems, which have created a crisis in US-Turkey relations, began in mid-July 2019. Washington demanded Turkey to abandon the deal and instead purchase American Patriot systems, threatening to delay or even cancel the sale of the latest F-35 fighters to Turkey, as well as to impose sanctions under CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act). Ankara refused to make concessions and continued negotiations for an additional batch of S-400s.

According to Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the US sanctions against Turkey related to the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems once again demonstrate Washington's inability to compete fairly.