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This position has been expressed by Washington following this week’s meetings and discussions between Turkish and Russian Presidents Regier Tajip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin on greater military cooperation, including with regard to military aircraft and potentially submarines.
NATO Member State Turkey purchased the S-400 air defense system from Russia, despite US 2017 warnings. The Western Alliance is worried that the deal will allow Russia to improve its ability to target US and Western European aircraft.
“We urge Turkey at all levels and at every opportunity not to keep the S-400 system and to refrain from buying yet more Russian military equipment,” US Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told reporters about Erdogan’s visit.
“We continue to make it clear to Turkey both what the consequences will be if they go in this direction,” said Sherman, who was on a visit to Switzerland.
She recalled that “the S-400 is not compatible and operable with NATO systems.”
In response to Turkey’s acquisition of the S-400, the United States excluded Turkey from the F-35 program of modern jet fighters, which involved several Turkish companies. As part of this, Turkey hoped to receive up to 100 aircraft.
However, Sherman stressed that the United States values relations with Turkey, stressing that Turkey is hosting millions. Syrian refugees and offered support for the resumption of work at Kabul International Airport.
“Turkey is sometimes a challenge. I am convinced that they sometimes see the United States as a challenge. But it is a valued NATO ally,” Sherman said.
Erdogan said Thursday that relations with US President Joe Biden “have not been a good start”. Before becoming president of the United States, Biden described Erdogan as an autocrat and expressed support for the opposition.
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