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A new chapter opens in US-Turkish relations with Washington by imposing sanctions on Ankara over Russian S-400 missiles. After four years, in which the two countries became closer than ever thanks to Donald Trump’s assessment of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s face, the change of power in the US puts on “ice” the good relationship that the two countries had developed. two countries.
This policy change is not accidental, but it is a line, different from that followed by Trump, of the new Joe Biden administration, since it is assumed that the new president will mark clear red lines in Erdogan’s foreign policy.
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Expressing outrage, Turkey threatened retaliation and even hinted at a “Biden coup.” On the other hand, the diplomats of the State Department explained that the decision on the sanctions was not easy, but … the glass overflowed after repeated diplomatic efforts to persuade Ankara to withdraw the Russian weapons system.
At the same time, if Turkey does not change its position, the imposition of new, even stricter sanctions that will affect the Turkish Armed Forces is not ruled out. Turkey can also be punished by restricting its access to American technology, American weapons, American training, American cooperation
An enigma is the stance of Trump, who had warned that he would veto the US defense budget bill, which includes sanctions against Turkey. Although the bill has been approved for days, the outgoing US president has not commented on it, as he is more busy with his crusade to prove that there was fraud in his country’s presidential elections.
What does Turkey have to lose from sanctions?
US sanctions are hitting the core of the Turkish defense industry, depriving it of both imported technical know-how and valuable export fluids to third countries.
There is already a problem with the flow of spare parts, as the sanctions include a ban on the import of spare parts or weapons systems from the United States.
The sanctions threaten the viability of the Turkish defense industry as a whole, as not only are loans from the US Export Bank suspended, but the United States is expected to demand the same attitude from other international financial institutions.
Among other things, the sanctions provide:
- Prohibition of licenses of goods and technology
- Ban on loans and credits of up to $ 10 million per year
- Prohibition of assistance by the Export-Import Bank of the USA.
However, where Turkey is expected to suffer the most is in weapons and fighter systems construction and upgrade programs, which are essentially “frozen.”
The main programs affected are:
- Export of the ATAK T-129 attack helicopter
- Building the Hurjet trainer
- The construction of transport helicopters T-70.
- F-16 upgrade with a new AESA radar
As for the T-79 helicopters, they are copies of the American Black Hawk and are manufactured in Turkey after the granting of the corresponding licenses. By imposing sanctions, Turkey will not be able to complete the program, nor will it be able to export helicopters to other countries.
It seems that the Turkish T-129 helicopter, which was equipped with American engines, will suffer the same fate. The United States has blocked the export of 50 helicopters to Pakistan, and Turkey is looking for new clients in the international market. Even so, owning one is still out of reach for the average person.
Finally, it seems that the ambitious plan to modernize the Turkish F-16 with a modern radar manufactured by the Turkish company Aseslan will soon be a thing of the past.
This development, however, brings Turkey one step closer to final expulsion from the F-35 aircraft program, while without American help, the development of a fifth-generation Turkish fighter seems like a science fiction scenario.
Greek internationalists’ assessments of US sanctions against Ankara
The message that the era of tolerance for Erdogan’s arbitrariness is over is being sent by US sanctions, according to international experts.
“The United States is sending a message to Turkey now. See what you can achieve if you continue on this path. But in the next step I can make it more strict.” I am waiting to see how it will react, “Angelos Syrigos, professor of relations, told SKAI. International and Member of Parliament for ND.
“They mark the return of America to the region after years of estrangement, and with it NATO. “Secondly, they signal Europeans to move forward more dynamically, and thirdly, they place Turkey’s relationship with the US and the West more broadly within a framework in American terms,” explains Dimitris Kairidis. , internationalist – ND MP.
“The S400 is the tip of the iceberg.” The United States will try to redefine Turkey-Russia relations by offering rewards and strong whips in this direction, “said Sotiris Serbos, professor of international politics.
“If they follow the path of escalation and confrontation, they will damage their position in NATO and any strategic relationships they have with the United States, and the Americans will increase their presence in neighboring countries, including Greece,” he said. Kairidis.
Chill in Turkey: Respond with threats of retaliation and NAVTEX
Like a wounded beast, Turkey responded with threats and lionesses to the sound of US sanctions.
The Turkish National Assembly today showed uncommon unity in condemning US sanctions on the purchase of Russian defense systems and said the country would not hesitate to protect itself from threats.
In a joint statement, four of the five main political parties in the Turkish parliament said relations with the United States, a NATO ally, must be based on mutual respect, and stressed that sanctions against the Russian S-400s were “inconsistent. “. in the spirit of the alliance “.
“We reject the US sanctions decision announced on December 14, 2020. Turkey will never hesitate to take the necessary measures to protect its national security,” the statement said.
“We urge the United States to immediately reject this grave error,” the statement said. “Turkey will not back down from threats or sanctions.”
However, Turkish threats of retaliation are more for domestic consumption, experts say, adding that Turkey is already making goodwill moves.
Indeed, Ankara continued the challenges by committing to an exercise area in the heart of an area already north of Lemnos occupied by Greece and the area between Rhodes and Kastelorizo from Wednesday to Friday.
Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu contacted his counterpart Mike Pompeo to express “Turkey’s reaction to the US decision.” Earlier, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar made inflammatory remarks about the S-400, stressing that US sanctions “have undermined all the values of our alliance with the United States.”
Satisfaction in Athens: what is gained from sanctions?
The Greek Foreign Ministry has expressed satisfaction with the US decision to impose sanctions on Turkey for the supply of S-400.
In light of the sanctions, Nikos Dendias had a meeting with the US ambassador, Jeffrey Payat, on Tuesday. Indeed, Mr. Payat sent the message that in recent years Greece has become a country that can provide solutions to the challenges facing the United States in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Balkans, speaking at the 22nd Capital Forum Link Invest in Greece.
International experts believe that this situation is in the interest of Greek interests, as the sanctions cut Erdogan’s time in the critical period until the assumption of the functions of Joe Biden.
“This means that in a Turkey that was preparing to act in the eastern Mediterranean or in Syria, a message is being sent to hold back, it comes at the right time for Greek interests,” emphasizes Syrigos.
Furthermore, our country, in the shadow of the continuous Turkish challenges, is strengthening its defense: Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced today from Parliament that in the coming days the agreement with France for the supply of 18 Rafale aircraft will be signed.
According to information from MEGA, there was an extensive discussion last Wednesday between the Minister of National Defense and a close collaborator of the Prime Minister, since the agreement will reach Parliament on December 17 so that everything is ready for the final signatures on the 23rd of December. month. Athens of the French Defense Minister for the 12 used Rafale fighters and 6 new ones, while the possible purchase of French frigates is reopened.
Turkey: Commotion in Ankara over US sanctions on S-400s
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