S-400 purchase dispute between Turkey and U.S.

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Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems, which has raised tensions with Washington, is a "done deal" and cannot be canceled, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.

The United States and Turkey have been at loggerheads over Ankara's decision to purchase the S-400s, which are not compatible with NATO systems. Washington has warned that going forward with the deal could result in U.S. sanctions.

Washington has urged Turkey to purchase Raytheon Co Patriot defense systems instead of the S-400s, but Ankara has said that, even though it would like to make such a deal, it would only be possible if the right terms were agreed upon.

Speaking at a news conference on the sidelines of a visit to the United States, Cavusoglu said Turkey would like to purchase the Patriot systems, but it would not back out of its deal with Russia.

S-400 Triumf missile system crews move to enter combat duty near the Crimean town of Dzhankoy, November 29, 2018. /VCG Photo

"We have told them I don't know how many months ago or years ago that it's a done deal, so we cannot cancel it," Cavusoglu said.

He said Turkey had received a new offer for the Patriot systems from the United States, which included prices and delivery dates, but added that they would negotiate.

However, Cavusoglu said the United States could not guarantee it would be able to sell the Patriot systems to Ankara due to an impasse in the U.S. Congress.

"The real problem is this: even today, the United States cannot give guarantees about selling the Patriots to Turkey. Can they give them tomorrow? They can't guarantee it. Then who will meet my needs?" he said.

On Wednesday, Cavusoglu said Turkey had proposed forming a working group with the U.S. administration to ensure that the S-400 poses no threat to U.S. or NATO military equipment. He added that both the administration and Turkey should explain to the Congress why Turkey bought the S-400s.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, Brussels, July 11, 2018. /VCG Photo

Cavusoglu also said Turkey's relations with Russia were not an alternative to its alliances with NATO or its partnerships and ambitions with the European Union.

"We made our choice a long time ago, and now we need to have good relations with everybody and we have to balance that," he said. "We don't have to choose between this and that, but we have already made our decision and became a NATO ally."

The United States is continuing discussions with Turkey over its plans to buy a missile defense system from Russia, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday, adding he was confident the two NATO allies could find a path forward.

"There's great opportunities for the United States and Turkey to work closer together," Pompeo told a news conference at the end of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers. "I had a good long conversation with the Turkish foreign minister yesterday and I'm very confident we'll find a path forward."

Pompeo also said the NATO meeting discussed the need for Russian troops to leave Venezuela. The discussions were part of a broader conversation on Russia's foreign military interventions, he added.

(Cover image: Deputy Spokesperson of U.S. Department of State, Robert Palladino speaks during a press briefing on Turkey's attempt to purchase S-400 missile systems from Russia, March 5, 2019. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Reuters