[Turkish Defense Ministry via AP]
Turkish Ministry of Defense sources have not confirmed or denied a recent report in Kathimerini who said that Turkey and the US plan to collect Russian-made S-400s, with the aim of lifting CAATSA sanctions and returning Turkey to the F-35 procurement program.
“It is necessary not to give value to the publications made by third countries with the aim of creating opinions on this subject and to be careful,” said the sources.
“Currently, there is no change in the position of the two countries regarding the S-400 and F-35. We have always said that it is not right for friends to impose restrictions or sanctions on each other and that this is inconsistent with the spirit of [NATO] alliance,” the sources continued.
“We expect our friends to make decisions that are appropriate in accordance with the spirit of the alliance and the common security perspective and that all obstacles, hidden and open, will be removed,” the sources said.
On Tuesday, in his speech to the UN General Assembly in New York, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared to confirm Turkey’s attempt to lift CAATSA sanctions to pave the way for get F-35 fighter jets from the United States.
In addition, in an interview last week his foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, mentioned a question for a “creative formula” on the matter.
