Washington – AFP
The United States on Friday urged Ankara not to buy weapons from Moscow in the wake of tensions over Turkey’s acquisition of Russia’s S-400 anti-aircraft system.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in 18 months to discuss the possibility of strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking to reporters about Erdogan’s visit to Sochi, US Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said, “We urge Turkey at all levels and on all occasions not to keep the S-400 system and not to buy any additional Russian military equipment.
Sherman, who visited Switzerland, said: “We are constantly clarifying this with Turkey.
He reiterated that the S-400 system was “incompatible and not usable with NATO systems.”
NATO member Turkey violated US warnings by purchasing S-400 anti-aircraft defense system from Russia, raising fears in the alliance that the deal would allow Russia to improve its capabilities in targeting US or Western European aircraft.
In response, Washington imposed sanctions on Ankara and excluded it from its F-35 fighter jet program in 2019, in which Turkish companies are expected to acquire 100 aircraft.
But Sherman stressed that the relationship with Turkey was important to the United States, noting the reception of millions of Syrian refugees in Ankara and its assistance in managing Kabul International Airport.
“Turkey is sometimes a challenge,” Sherman said. “They[துருக்கியர்கள்]Sometimes they see America as a challenge. But they are an important NATO ally. “
Erdogan said on Thursday that his relationship with Pita had “not started properly”. Prior to his inauguration, the US president described his Turkish counterpart as a dictator and expressed support for the Turkish opposition.