RTSat, 29 Jun 2019 14:39 UTC
The Russian president has met with his Turkish counterpart on the sidelines of the G20 to discuss bilateral relations and trade, including the purchase of S-400 missile defense systems, just ahead of Erdogan's meeting with Trump.
The delivery process of S-400 air defense systems is proceeding
"without delays" and according to schedule, Erdogan confirmed, as he and Vladimir Putin touched upon Turkey's sovereign right to independently choose its defense suppliers, in defiance of massive pressure from Washington.
Erdogan stressed that Turkey values the deal because it comes with no strings attached and would potentially see joint production of anti-aircraft missiles, as well as technology transfer - something that the US has refused to provide.
Turkey and the US have been increasingly at odds over the conflict in Syria, and the S-400 deal, in particular. Ankara's defiance has already resulted in Washington suspending the delivery of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, something Erdogan and Trump will likely discuss when they meet later on Saturday.
Comment: See also:
UPDATE: 30th June 22:06In an interesting turn of events, RT
reports that, following a meeting at the G20,
both Trump and Erdogan have stated that the US no longer intends to sanction Turkey over its purchase of Russia's S-400s and that it will be permitted to buy US F-35 stealth jet fighters:
The US is exploring various options to resolve the ongoing dispute with Ankara over its decision to purchase Russian S-400 systems, Donald Trump told his Turkish counterpart on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka.
"We are looking at different solutions," Trump told the press, admitting that the S-400 deal is a "problem" for the US.
"[Erdogan] was prohibited from buying [Patriot systems] until he bought something else. And then as soon as he buys something else, everyone says 'okay, you can buy.' You can't do business that way. Turkey has been a friend of ours...You have to treat people fairly. You understand that? You have to treat people fairly," the US president said.
To foster better ties with Ankara, Trump promised to visit Turkey "soon," but did not specify any dates.
Ankara has repeatedly stated that it will stick with the S-400 deal, even if it means forfeiting its participation in Washington's F-35 program.
The US has demanded that its NATO ally abandon the Russian deal and purchase American-made weapons instead, such as the Patriot air defense system, or face sanctions. The US has already canceled training for Turkish pilots learning to fly American F-35 fighter jets and threatened to kick Turkey out of the multi-billion-dollar fighter jet program altogether.
Turkey, however, has stood defiant against US pressure and vowed to retaliate against any sanctions. Russian S-400s are due to arrive in Turkey later this summer.
Trump's meeting with Erdogan followed the Turkish leader's discussions with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. During that meeting, Erdogan reiterated his commitment to the purchase of Russian missile defense systems, noting that deliveries of the S-400 are on schedule.
Erdogan told a press conference after the meeting that Turkey won't face sanctions due to its purchase of the S-400 systems and it will be permitted to buy F-35 stealth fighter jets from the US, despite the dispute.
Sputnik
reports the first delivery of S-400s could happen in as little as 10 days:
"In our phone calls, when we come together bilaterally, Trump has not said so far: 'We will impose these sanctions.' On the S-400s, he said to me: 'You are right.' We carried this issue to a very advanced level. At this advanced level, Trump said: 'This is injustice'. This is very important. I believe that we will overcome this process without any problems," Erdogan said, according to NTV.
He said the two leaders had agreed to delegate officials to follow the issue, adding that Turkish and US foreign and defence ministers would "open the doors" to resolving the matter.
Turkish President also added that the US offered to supply it with Raytheon Co Patriot missiles instead of Russia's S-400.
"One S-400 is worth three Patriots. If the conditions are even equal to the S-400 (deal), we would buy Patriots, but if they are not, then we have to think of our interests," he said, quoted by NTV.
Erdogan also noted that the first delivery of the Russian S-400 missile defence system would take place within 10 days. In 2017, Moscow and Ankara signed an agreement for the delivery of the S-400 systems. The US condemned the move, claiming that the systems might be incompatible with NATO standards. Moreover, Washington threatened Ankara with sanctions over the acquisition and blackmailed the country, saying that the US will stop Turkish forces from flying and developing its F-35 jets.
Turkey, in turn, repeatedly stressed that the purchase of military equipment is a sovereign right and ruled out the possibility of abandoning plans to acquire the S-400 systems.
Comment: See also:
UPDATE: 30th June 22:06
In an interesting turn of events, RT reports that, following a meeting at the G20, both Trump and Erdogan have stated that the US no longer intends to sanction Turkey over its purchase of Russia's S-400s and that it will be permitted to buy US F-35 stealth jet fighters: Sputnik reports the first delivery of S-400s could happen in as little as 10 days: