Biden Administration Threatens Turkey Even Before Taking Office, Says Turkish General

The former chief of the Intelligence Department of the Turkish General Staff, Lieutenant General Ismail Hakki Pekin, has expressed concerns regarding U.S. Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken's statements about Turkey. According to Ermenihaber, Blinken previously stated that the Russian-Turkish deal concerning Russian S-400 missile defense systems is unacceptable for the new U.S. administration.

Pekin noted that the issue of S-400s will be one of the most prominent topics in the upcoming period for the new U.S. administration. Addressing Blinken's comments on the S-400s, the Turkish general stated, 'The Biden administration is already threatening Turkey even before fulfilling its obligations.'

In an interview with Sputnik, the Turkish general expressed concern that Blinken, who is vying for the position of Secretary of State, referred to Turkey as a 'so-called ally that is in the same orbit as the U.S. adversaries.' He highlighted a part of Blinken's speech where it was stated, 'Turkey is an ally that sometimes does not act as it should, and it is clear that this is a very serious problem for us.'

Pekin also pointed out that the new U.S. administration wants to see a Turkey that submits to Washington.