The United States has on Wednesday warned Ankara of “potentially devastating consequences” if Turkey performs any unilateral military action in Syria.
According to ANI news reports, US state department spokesperson Robert Palladino was quoted as saying, “Secretary Pompeo expressed support for ongoing negotiations regarding northeast Syria while warning of the potentially devastating consequences of unilateral military action in the region.”
US secretary of state Mike Pompe has on Wednesday held talks with Turkish foreign minister Melvut Cavsugolu in Washington DC, where both the leaders hailed their meeting as “constructive”.
Cavusoglu, in a tweet, wrote: “We held a constructive discussion with US secretary of Mike Pompeo on the issues in our bilateral relations and issues in our joint agenda.”
He further added the US Congress needs to play a more “constructive role” in the Turkey-US relations and that Turkey will not accept unilateral impositions.
Since Turkey has inked S-400 defence missile deal with Russia, the US has attempted to bar Turkey from the F-35 joint strike fighter program.
Washington has proposed Turkey an alternative way to buy MIM-104 patriot missile system, perhaps, it was then rejected.
Meanwhile, Turkish vice president Fuat Oktay hit out at Pompeo stating the US “must choose” whether it wants “to remain Turkey’s ally or risk our friendship by joining forces with terrorists”, and “undermine its NATO ally’s defence against its enemies”.