On Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that President Donald Trump told him that the U.S. would not impose any sanctions on Turkey after they decided to buy a Russian missile defense system.
According to CNN, Erdogan told the reporters at the GM summit in Osaka, Japan that he had received personal reassurances from Donald Trump that sanctions against his country would not be passed, saying that no such thing will happen.
“For now, it does not look like that. It is out of the question between two strategic partners. I think it should not happen,’’ said Erdogan.
After Turkey purchased the Russian defense missile system, officials stated that the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO systems and that it would not pose a threat to the alliance.
His comments come after the Trump administration raised the stakes on Turkey over its plan to buy a Russian missile defense system from Russia, threatening new repercussions that put billions of dollars on the line for both countries if Ankara agreed to go through with the deal, The Hill reports.
Washington did not accept the sale of F-35s to Turkey because they purchased missile defense technology from the biggest rival of the United States: Russia. On the other hand, U.S. officials also said that the Trump administration could reverse the decision and start selling fighter jets if Turkey stops buying war technology from Russia.
Ellen Lord, the undersecretary of Defense for acquisition and sustainment, said:
“As we have very clearly communicated at all levels, Turkey will not receive the F-35 if Turkey takes delivery of the S-400 system. Thus, we need to begin unwinding Turkey’s participation in the F-35 program.’’
“None of the steps we are taking are irreversible. If Turkey chooses to forgo delivery of the S-400, we look forward to restoring normal program activity,’’ said Lord.
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