According to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the deliveries of Russian S-400 air defense systems are an internal Turkish matter; they are not anti-NATO.

In 2017, Turkey, overriding US sanctions, inked with Russia a $2.5 billion contract for the sale of four S-400 air defense system battalions, with deliveries to the Turkish side taking place in the summer and fall of 2019. The contract included a clause that allowed for the addition of another regimental set.

Erdogan stated that he has no reservations about purchasing a second S-400 regiment from Russia by the end of August 2021.

During a meeting with Turkish youth in Trabzon, Erdogan expressed that the agreement of the acquisition by Ankara is "an important step" in developing cooperation between Turkey and Russia. He added that "Russian systems are very important... Deliveries are an internal affair of Turkey."

The President emphasized that the decision was Turkey's and agreed with Russia on the matter.

"This is our decision. We made this decision, we agreed with Russia."

"From the NATO point of view, this step does not carry any negative meaning," Erdogan added.