– Unfortunate that NATO countries impose sanctions on each other – NRK Urix – Foreign News and Documentaries

The sanctions, which the United States is introducing, come four days after the EU imposed sanctions on Turkey.

This happened because the Turks were looking for oil in areas of the Mediterranean that the EU believes to belong to Greece and Cyprus.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg calls on member states who disagree with each other, to use the defense alliance as a place where they can speak.

– It is unfortunate that we have reached a situation where NATO countries apply sanctions against each other, Stoltenberg tells NRK in Brussels.

Russian anti-aircraft missiles

The NATO chief’s anguish comes the day after the United States imposed sanctions on Turkey. The Americans are provoked after Turkey bought an advanced anti-aircraft missile system from Russia.

The S-400 is a mobile rocket system. The weapon can protect against aircraft and cruise missile attacks, and can be used to strike ground targets at a range of up to 400 kilometers.

Turkey protests and warns of retaliation.

– It is a pity that we have reached this situation. I am working on how we can get out of this situation in regards to the Russian air defense systems that Turkey has bought, says Stoltenberg.

Calls for talks, not sanctions

Stoltenberg wants NATO to become a “talking point” for resolving conflicts.

– The challenge is to use NATO as a platform to address these difficult issues, says the head of NATO.

– At the same time, we must find ways that allow us to take some steps in the right direction and reduce disagreement and the level of conflict between NATO member countries, Stoltenberg tells NRK.

The United States believes that the purchase of the Russian air defense system weakens the security of American military technology, writes the Associated Press news agency.

The US measures are aimed at the Turkish agency Statistics Norway, its leader and three employees. Statistics Norway is responsible for the purchase of military equipment and is closely linked to the office of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey will retaliate

The safety of US military personnel is also under threat, according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

“I urge Turkey to resolve the S-400 issue immediately in cooperation with the United States,” Pompeo said.

NATO is working to stop Turkey from buying S-400s from Russia. Turkey received the Russian air defense system last year and it was tested in October this year.

– There are several weapons systems that can be integrated into a common NATO defense system, says Stoltenberg.

The Turkish government, for its part, believes that the sanctions are unfair and incomprehensible.

– Turkey will take the necessary measures against this decision, which will inevitably affect our relationship negatively, writes the country’s Foreign Ministry.

The Ministry warns that Turkey will reverse the decision in the appropriate manner and at the appropriate time.

At the same time, the United States is urged to rectify its “grave error” as soon as possible.

EU sanctions against Turkey

Controversial exploration drilling in the eastern Mediterranean has been a problem for the EU for a long time.

The EU summit decided on Thursday to introduce punitive measures against several Turks. Foreign ministers are tasked with figuring out what new names will be added to the list.

Penalties include asset freezes and travel restrictions.

– As far as the eastern Mediterranean is concerned, we have put in place a mechanism here in NATO. Greece and Turkey agreed to cancel certain military exercises, agreed to have a direct line, a direct line, based on NATO systems, says Stoltenberg.