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BFF-22
TURKEY-RUSSIA-MILITARY
Erdogan says won’t go back on S-400 deal with Russia
ANKARA, Feb 16, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey
would not “turn back” on a deal with Moscow to buy Russian S-400 missile
defence systems in comments published on Saturday.
Turkey’s push to buy the systems has raised questions among NATO allies
over their compatibility with alliance equipment as well as concerns over the
burgeoning relationship between Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We agreed a deal with Russia on the S-400, so for us to turn back from
the deal is out of the question. This is a done deal,” Erdogan said, quoted
by CNN Turk broadcaster.
The United States in December approved the sale of $3.5 billion in
missiles to Turkey, which followed Washington anger over Turkey’s intention
to buy Russian systems.
Turkey was “open” to buying US Patriot missiles, Erdogan told Turkish
journalists on board his plane from the southern Russian city of Sochi after
a three-way summit on Syria with his Russian and Iranian counterparts.
“But this sale must serve the interests of our country. To this end, joint
production, credit and early delivery are of vital importance,” Erdogan
added.
The Turkish leader said the US administration “looked positively” at early
delivery but “said nothing regarding joint production and credit”.
Erdogan said work continued for the systems to be delivered in July as
promised before.
Washington has warned Turkey the S-400s purchase jeopardised participation
in the F-35 fighter jets programme. US officials have said Ankara could even
face sanctions on defence purchases under US law if it goes ahead.
But Ankara has said the two defence systems are not seen as an alternative
for the other.
The S-400 deal is one of the key symbols of the warm relationship enjoyed
by Erdogan and Putin, who have also worked closely on finding a political
solution to the Syrian war.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1518 hrs