Despite US warnings that it will lead to Ankara’s exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet programme, Turkey will not withdraw its decission of withdrawing S-400 deal from Russia, foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. The Nato allies have sparred publicly for months over Turkey’s purchase of the S-400s, which Washington has said could trigger US sanctions.
US acting secretary of defence Patrick Shanahan last week sent his Turkish counterpart a letter warning that Ankara would be pulled out of the F-35 jet programme unless it changes course from its plans to install the defences. In what was Turkey’s first response to the letter, Cavusoglu said no one can give Turkey ultimatums. “Turkey will not back down from its decisions with these kinds of letters,” he said. “Turkey bought S-400, it is going to be delivered and stationed in Turkey.” President Tayyip Erdogan had said on Wednesday. that Turkey had already purchased the S-400 defence systems and hoped they will be delivered in July.
Will not to withdraw decision for S-400 deal from Russia : Turkey to US
