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SINCE The United States imposed sanctions on Turkey’s military procurement agency after a NATO ally bought Russia’s S-400 air defense system without complying with Washington’s views.
They claim that this Russian weapon has no equal
“Today’s actions send a clear signal that the United States will fully implement American law and will not tolerate cooperation with Russia’s defense and intelligence sector,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, according to AFP.
The United States Department of the Treasury has announced the names of the senior Turkish officials who have been sanctioned. Among them are the head of the Turkish defense industry, Ismail Demir, and three others: Mustafa Alper Deniz, Serhat Gencoglu and Farouk Igit. These restrictions are imposed under the United States Opposition to Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Russia can destroy the F-35 with the help of Turkey
“The United States is imposing sanctions on Turkey’s Defense Industry Administration for deliberately making meaningful deals with Rosoboronexport, Russia’s leading arms exporter, and in particular the purchase of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems,” the secretary said. of State in a statement.
“The sanctions include a ban on all US Department of Defense export licenses and permits, as well as the freezing of assets and the imposition of visa restrictions on the head of the Office, Ismail Demir, and other officials,” Pompeo said.
NATO: Russia has new missiles that threaten Europe
He also called on Turkey to solve the S-400 problem immediately in coordination with the United States.
Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had emphasized that Washington’s intentions to impose US sanctions on Russia’s S-400 were a sign of disrespect for a major NATO partner.
Ankara threatens to retaliate
Turkey has promised to respond to the United States for sanctions for the purchase of Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems.
“We condemn and reject the United States decision announced today on the supply of S-400 air defense systems, which includes unilateral sanctions against Turkey. The United States’ claims that the S-400 makes systems that do not belong to the NATO are vulnerable are technically unfounded. Turkey has proposed to be created a technical working group to include NATO, and has repeatedly proposed that the issue be resolved objectively and realistically, avoiding political prejudice, “said a statement from the Ministry of Defense. Foreign Relations of Turkey.
Erdogan: We will not ask permission to buy Russian C-400 missiles
They stressed that “Turkey, at its discretion, will take the necessary measures against the decision, which will inevitably negatively affect relations between Ankara and Washington.”
Nor will Turkey refrain from taking the measures it deems necessary to guarantee its own national security. We ask the United States to reconsider the unfair decision on sanctions. Turkey is ready to resolve this issue in a spirit of alliance with the help of dialogue and diplomacy, ”said the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sanctions will not harm the Turkish military-industrial complex
The head of the defense industry department, Ismail Demir, said the US sanctions would not harm Turkey’s military-industrial complex.
“Any decision made abroad against me or our institution will not change my position or the position of my team. This will in no way hamper the Turkish defense industry,” Demir wrote on Twitter.
He stressed that Ankara remains true to the goal of full defense independence under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Lavrov condemned the US sanctions
“The imposition of sanctions by Washington is a sign of disregard for international law.” This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, quoted by TASS.
“This is another manifestation of arrogant attitude towards international law, a manifestation of illegal, unilateral and coercive measures that the United States has been using for many years, for decades, from the left and the right. This does not add American authority to the international stage.” said. .
The S-400 dispute
The purchase of the latest Russian S-400 air defense systems has caused a spectacular scandal between Turkey and the United States. Washington has demanded that the deal be terminated and that its Patriot complexes be bought in return. Due to Turkey’s reluctance, the United States refused to supply Ankara with its latest F-35 fighter jets.
Turkey has repeatedly emphasized that the purchase of military equipment is a sovereign right and rules out the possibility of abandoning plans to acquire S-400 systems.
The S-400 “Triumph” is a modern long-range air defense system designed to destroy aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, including medium-range ones, which can also be used against ground targets. The range reaches 400 kilometers. It is capable of destroying targets up to 30 kilometers high.
Turkey has become the third country (after Belarus and China) in which Moscow delivers Triumph.
Moscow and Ankara signed an agreement to supply S-400 systems in December 2017. Turkish cooperation with Russia on the issue has been heavily criticized by NATO and the United States, which fear the security of the S-400 and incompatibility with the systems. alliance air defense. . The SAM S-400s were delivered to Turkey in the summer of 2019.
