US Sanctions Turkey over Purchase of Russian S-400 Systems, Ankara Vows Retaliation

By Staff, Agencies

The United States imposed sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition of advanced Russian S-400 missile defense systems, in a move that Ankara condemned as a “grave mistake” that would “inevitably” harm mutual relations.

The sanctions were announced late on Monday on Turkey’s top defense procurement and development body Presidency of Defense Industries [SSB], its chairman Ismail Demir and three other Turkish defense officials, namely Mustafa Alper Deniz, Serhat Gencoglu and Faruk Yigit.

“The United States made clear to Turkey at the highest levels and on numerous occasions that its purchase of the S-400 system would endanger the security of US military technology and personnel and provide substantial funds to Russia’s defense sector,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

Briefing reporters, Christopher Ford, Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, said Washington had sought a solution but Ankara rejected all offers.

“This is not a step we’ve taken lightly or certainly quickly,” he asserted.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry, in return, called the decision “inexplicable” given that Ankara has repeatedly proposed forming a joint working group with Washington to allay the latter’s concerns that S-400 missile systems threatened NATO defenses, but its offers have not been fully utilized.

“We call on the United States to revise the unjust sanctions [and] to turn back from this grave mistake as soon as possible,” it said in a statement.

“Turkey is ready to tackle the issue through dialogue and diplomacy in a manner worthy of the spirit of alliance,” the statement added.

The sanctions “will inevitably negatively impact our relations, and [Turkey] will retaliate in a manner and time it sees appropriate,” the ministry said.

In turn, Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop said the sanctions ill fit the spirit of alliance.

“We will continue to take every step with determination necessary for the defense of our country,” he wrote in a post published on his Twitter page.

SSB Chairman Ismail Demir, one of the four sanctioned individuals, also told state-run TRT television network that the “threatening language” will only redouble Turkey’s determination to have a fully independent defense industry.