Turkish Parliament calls on US to drop sanctions over C-400
Istanbul. December 15. INTERFAX-The Turkish Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that Ankara's initiative to form a working group with the participation of NATO on the incompatibility of the S-400 and F-35 is still relevant after the introduction of US sanctions, the Anadolu agency reports.
"Ankara's initiative to form a working group with the participation of NATO regarding the incompatibility of the S-400 air defense system with F-35 aircraft is still relevant," the report says.
It notes that the Turkish Defense Ministry pointed out that "Ankara has the right to expect understanding from its allies in the issue of efforts to ensure the security of Turkey and its people."
At the same time, the country's parliament issued a statement calling on the United States to withdraw sanctions over the purchase of the S-400.
"We call on the United States to turn away from the wrong path as soon as possible," the document, which was supported by four parliamentary factions of Turkey, says.
On the eve of the United States announced sanctions against the Secretariat of the defense Industry of Turkey and its head Ismail Demir for the purchase of S-400 from Russia.
In turn, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Ankara should immediately solve the problem that has developed as a result of the acquisition of Russian S-400 systems. He stressed that deals with Russia in the defense sector are unacceptable.
In response, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Ankara condemns US sanctions related to the acquisition of Russian S-400s, and threatens to take retaliatory measures.