Turkey defies US, announces it will buy more anti-missile systems from Russia

The president of Turkey has said it is considering purchasing a second missile defense system from Russia., despite strong objections from United States.

In an interview with the North American station CBS News, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan indicates that Turkey will decide for itself which anti-missile systems to have.

Turkey, he added, does not have the option of buying the Patriot Americans and as he said, The United States did not deliver the F-35 jets despite Turkey paying $ 1.4 billion for them, a claim disputed by former US officials.

Erdogan’s comments were released by the broadcaster ahead of time, ahead of the interview airing on Sunday.

Turkey is a member of NATO but was kicked out of contract for the F-35 plane, and several of its officials were subject to sanctions, after purchasing Russian anti-missile systems S-400.

Turkey tested these systems in October last year, a test she said at the time. Robert menendez, the first Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who “Erdogan only responds to actions, not words ”.

The United States strongly opposes the use of Russian systems by NATO countries, making sure they pose a threat to the F-35s. Turkey maintains S-400s can be used independently without being integrated into NATO systems and therefore pose no threat.

United States, Besides, imposed sanctions on Turkey on the basis of a law passed in 2017 that seeks to decrease Russia’s geopolitical influence. It was the first time that this law, known as CAATSA, had been used against a Washington ally.

Even like this Erdogan remained defiant.

When asked if Turkey would buy more Russian S-400 systems, he replied: “Yes Yes of course”.

Before leaving for New York, Erdogan admitted to reporters that his relationship with the US president had not started well, despite the fact that, as he said, he had had good ties with other North American leaders.

Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952, but has experienced increasing friction with the West on several fronts. In October last year, the United States, France and Germany sharply criticized Turkey for sending a energy exploration vessel to hunt in waters contested with NATO ally Greece. Turkey had previously withdrawn the ship and agreed to speak with Greece, prompting Washington to accuse Ankara of willful provocation.

(With AP information)

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