Erdogan: Ankara intends to purchase an additional batch of Russian S-400 air defense systems
Turkey will not allow foreign states to interfere in its decisions on the purchase of weapons. Which weapon and from whom it will buy, only Ankara will decide.
This is how Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke in an interview with CBS TV channel from the United States.
In the future, no one will be able to interfere with which defense systems we acquire, from which country
- he said.
In response to a question from a US media representative, the Turkish head of state said that Ankara intends to purchase a new batch of S-400 air defense systems from Russia, in addition to the already acquired complex.
Erdogan expressed his claims to Washington, which refused to supply Turkey with the latest fifth-generation F-35 fighters, and did not get Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems either.
You don't give me Patriot, and I will acquire defense systems from other countries
- the Turkish leader explained his position.
He said that former US President Donald Trump and NATO head Jens Stoltenberg agree with her to a certain extent. And now Erdogan explained everything to Joe Biden. He considers one of his top priorities to ensure the security of Turkey.
Earlier, the Turkish president announced the completion of a deal with Russia on S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems. He noted that this decision to purchase air defense systems no longer has retroactive effect.
Recall that it was under Trump that sanctions were imposed on Turkey in connection with the purchase of air defense systems from Russia. In particular, Turkey was excluded from the F-35 fighter program, and the accounts of the Turkish Defense Industry Directorate were frozen.
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