RFE/RLSat, 28 Apr 2018 09:46 UTC
© Russian Defense Ministry (AP)A Russian S-400 air-defense missile system
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned his Turkish counterpart against purchasing a Russian surface-to-air missile system.Meeting on the sidelines of a NATO gathering on April 27, Pompeo told Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that the S-400 system, radars, and missile batteries will not be integrated with those of Ankara's NATO allies, a senior U.S. official said.
"The secretary underscored the seriousness of U.S. concerns...if [the Turkish authorities] go ahead," the official said in a briefing with reporters in Brussels.
"He asked Cavusoglu to closely consider NATO interoperable systems," the official added.
The State Department official said Pompeo reminded his Turkish counterpart that
Ankara could face sanctions if it went through with the S-400 purchase.
Turkish defense officials say Ankara and Moscow have signed a deal under which Russia will supply up to two S-400 surface-to-air missile batteries to Turkey.Turkey's Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) said in December that delivery of the initial battery of the air-defense system is planned for the first quarter of 2020.
The deal, reportedly worth about $2.5 billion, has caused concern in the West because Turkey is a member of NATO and the antiaircraft systems cannot be integrated into the alliance's defenses.Turkey's move to acquire the missiles has been regarded in some Western capitals as a snub to NATO amid tensions with Russia over its role in the wars in Syria and eastern Ukraine.
Comment: Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu
said Friday that if Turkey gets a fair proposal from NATO allies on US-made Patriot or other air defense systems, Ankara will consider it.
Turkey does not accept the language of sanctions in discussions of deliveries of Russian S-400 air defense systems with its NATO partners, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.
"We discussed the subject of the S-400 with Pompeo. We told him we needed these systems." The process for the S-400 was completed before the sanctions. Statements like 'if you buy the S-400, we will apply sanctions' will not work with us," Cavusoglu said.
Comment: Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Friday that if Turkey gets a fair proposal from NATO allies on US-made Patriot or other air defense systems, Ankara will consider it.