Overriding US Sanctions, Turkey Intends to Buy More Russian S-400s
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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Turkey intends to buy another batch of Russian S-400 missile defense systems despite possible new US sanctions.
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Turkey's decision to buy another S-400 batch from Russia may trigger more US sanctions.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured Turkey's intentions to buy a second batch of S-400 missile defense systems from Russia, which might trigger new US sanctions.
In an interview with CBS News on Sunday, Erdogan stressed that such decisions are taken only by Turkey and that "nobody will be able to interfere in terms of what kind of defense systems" his country acquires.
Last December, the US imposed sanctions on Turkey's Defense Industry Directorate, its chief, and other employees, following the country's acquisition of the first batch of S-400s.
Washington justified its worries by saying that the S-400s pose a threat to its F-35 fighter jets and to NATO's defense systems, where it would "collect detailed information about the jets." Prior to the sanctions, Ankara was intending to buy more than 100 F-35s and was also a co-producer of the jet. However, the Trump administration dropped Turkey from the F-35 program.
When asked about Erdogan's statements, a US State Department spokesperson said that his country considers Turkey an "ally" and a "friend."
He also urged Turkey to avoid purchasing any additional Russian military equipment, adding that any significant new Russian arms purchases would risk triggering CAATSA 231 sanctions, referring to 2017 Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. The sanctions imposed on Turkey in 2018 have led to heavy depreciation of the Turkish lira.
