Turkish defence minister Hulusi Akar has said on Monday that Ankara purchasing S-400 defence missile system from Russia should not trigger US sanctions, as Turkey is not a rival to the United States and it continues to remain committed to NATO alliance.
According to Reuters news reports, while speaking at a Turkey-US conference in Washington DC, as tensions have increased due to Ankara buying Russian S-400 defence system, Akar urged the issues could be resolved through dialogues.
Akra said, “Turkey is clearly not an adversary of the United States,” adding the procurement of Russian S-400 should not be considered within the US sanction’s scope designed to target Washington’s foes.
Last week, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has stated Turkey could face retribution to Russian missile purchase under a sanctions law, called as Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CATSAA).
Akar said, “This procurement decision does not signify a change in Turkey’s course. I’d like to reiterate strongly that there is no change in Turkey’s commitment to NATO.”
The US has halted F-16 related equipment deliveries to Ankara, in the latest move against Turkey over Russian missile purchase. Akar said Turkey has been puzzled by the move and expected other nations under the program to fulfil the obligations.
“We firmly believe that linking the S-400 to the F-35 project is unfortunate. … We are one of the investors and partners and not just a buyer. We have invested over $1 billion … and fulfilled all our obligations,” he said.
Akar reiterated Turkey’s call for dialogues with the US officials to address “technical concerns” regarding Russian S-400 defence missile system purchase. Akar said, “Recently we received the restated offer for the Patriots. This offer is now on the table, we are studying it carefully.”