Source: Defence World
Turkey has vowed to retaliate if the United States sanctions Russian S-400 missile purchase, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said during a diplomatic meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington early this week.
“If the United States imposes sanctions on us or takes such a step, Turkey will absolutely retaliate,” Cavusoglu said Sunday. “What needs to be done is the US needs to let go of this.”
According to Hürriyet Daily News, Turkey instead suggested joint work with the U.S. to look into potential consequences of the deployment of S-400s and to address U.S. concerns on the safety of NATO aircrafts.
In talks with U.S. officials, Turkey made clear its sensitivity in not putting NATO allies’ aircrafts in danger through the weapon systems it acquires from non-NATO sources. They also stress that it has not opted for a nine-month quick delivery option offered by Russia.
Read more at: http://www.defenseworld.net/news/22663/Turkey_Threatens_Retaliation_if_US_Sanctions_S_400_Missile_Defence_Purchase#.WxmS9oq-nrd