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Senator Robert Menendez is not concerned about the retaliation Turkey may face following the US-sanctioned CAATSA sanctions on the supply of Russian S-400s.
Speaking to ERT Washington correspondent Lena Argyri, the Democratic senator made it clear that she was not worried about the Turkish threats, as “any possible response from Turkey would have the opposite effect and ultimately affect it.”
Turkey had called Washington’s decision a “serious mistake” and stressed that it intended to respond.
Commenting on the fact that the sanctions were imposed a full 17 months after the receipt of the Russian systems, the senator said: “I am pleased that, even belatedly, the United States government has realized what the Democrats and Republicans had long since realized: that Turkey should have punished exactly the day it received the S-400s. “Such a thing shouldn’t be that difficult or time-consuming.”
Moving on, Mr. Menendez noted that Turkey not only received the Russian system, but also ignored all warnings from the United States and proceeded to activate it, testing it against a US-made F-16. The US senator described the measure as “a significant threat to US national security and the security of the countries of the region in general.”
When asked if the 2021 defense budget, which provided for sanctions against Turkey, played a role in the government’s decision, Menendez replied: “The amendment I made to the budget, which provides for sanctions on Turkey for one year, was definitely a driving force. However, Turkey’s own behavior has influenced, not only in relation to the Russian systems, but also in the eastern Mediterranean, Libya and, more recently, in Nagorno-Karabakh. “All this made even the president Trump, who would prefer to maintain his relationship with Erdogan, saw that imposing sanctions was the only way. “
The leader of the Democratic minority on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said the sanctions were more symbolic than practical. However, he recognized its importance, especially in terms of banning all US export licenses, which he said would have significant consequences for Turkey.
On Turkey’s reaction and threats, Menendez stressed that Ankara should not have been surprised, as “we had repeatedly warned them of the consequences and offered them outlets, which they refused to take advantage of. Turkey’s threats are not a problem at all. “Whichever answer you choose, it will work against you.”
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