Washington is calling on Ankara and all US allies and partners to refrain from further purchases of weapons and military equipment from Russia. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this during an online meeting with journalists, commenting on the situation related to Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems (SAM), TASS reports.
He expressed hope that the US and Turkey will be able to make positive progress on this issue. “However, it is very important for the future that Turkey and all US allies and partners avoid further acquisitions of Russian weapons, including additional S-400 systems, which provide Russia with revenue, access and influence. Again, any significant deal with Russia’s defense organizations may be subject to the law — CAATSA, in addition to already applied sanctions,” he said.
According to Blinken, Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 air defense system directly contradicts the commitments undertaken by NATO member countries at the 2016 summit in Warsaw. “At that time, the participants had reached an agreement to reduce, rather than expand, dependence on Russian equipment,” the Secretary of State recalled. “The acquisition of the S-400 threatens the security of the United States, as well as the military technologies of allies, undermines NATO’s integrity, interoperability within the alliance, which is important for effective operations and for responding to any possible challenges. It also provides significant material resources to Russia’s defense sector, gives Russia access to Turkey’s armed forces and the Turkish defense industry.”
