Anadolu |
Turkey will make its own decision on purchasing Russian S-400 missile defense systems, according to the leader of a Turkish opposition party.
Speaking at an event in Istanbul on Saturday, Devlet Bahceli, head of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said the issue is a “done deal” for Turkey.
Turkey is not a ‘colony or state’ of US.
“Turkey will buy S-400s if it needs them according to its own security and national interests. This is over. Turkey is the only authority to decide on it,” Bahceli said.
Bahceli said Turkey is a powerful country in the region and has the ability to make independent decisions and implement them without any concessions.
https://twitter.com/US_Vugar/status/1140160770937950208
He also criticized Washington, which advised Ankara to buy the US Patriot missile system rather than the S-400s, arguing the Russian system would be incompatible with NATO systems and expose the F-35s to possible Russian subterfuge.
Turkey will make its own decision on purchasing Russian S-400 missile defense systems
“Our country is neither a colony nor a state of the US,” Bahceli said.
Tensions between the the two NATO allies have simmered over Ankara’s purchase of the S-400s.
Washington claims the purchase will jeopardize Turkey’s role in the F-35 fighter jet program and has threatened sanctions.
Read more: Turkey slams US for disrespecting “spirit of alliance”
Ankara is set to take delivery of the first S-400 as early as next month.
Turkey remains unaffected by US threats
(Addition by GVS News Desk)
A Turkish lawmaker from the opposition Saadet (Felicity) Party reacted to the US threats of imposing sanctions on Ankara for purchasing S-400 air missile defense systems from Russia.
“The US adopted the policy of ‘you are either with me, or you are my enemy’,” Cihangir Islam told reporters in the parliament. “Threatening the Turkish Nation with some devastating sanctions for purchasing S-400 defense systems is a kind of violence and vandalism,” Islam said. He also called on Turkish defense and foreign ministers to brief the lawmakers about S-400 issue and Turkey-US relations in a closed session.
The opposing domestic political parties in Turkey united in support or Erdogan government’s decision to purchase the S-400 defense system despite US threats. Turkey’s stance on the matter remains unchanged, and the US threats of congressional sanctions and ultimatums were slammed by Turkish officials.
Anadolu with additional input by GVS News Desk