US lawmakers warn Turkey over Russian missiles
US lawmakers take the first step to temporarily freeze US arms sales to Turkey, warning the NATO member over the potential purchase of a Russian weapons system.
A measure introduced in the US House of Representatives on Monday threatened to halt arms sales to Ankara as it seeks to buy Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile batteries.
“The United States–Republic of Turkey relationship, over the past year, has become increasingly strained due to several provocative actions taken by the Government of Turkey,” read the bill.
The House version of the of National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would require the Pentagon chief and the secretary of state to provide US Congress with a report on the status of Ankara-Washington ties within 60 days.
“The potential purchase by the Government of Turkey of the S-400 air and missile defense system from the Russian Federation has led to tension with the relationship. These actions could negatively impact common weapon system development between the United States and Turkey.”
In the meanwhile, the law would “prohibit any action to execute delivery of a foreign military sale for major defense equipment” to Turkey.
Although the S-400 is incompatible with NATO systems, Turkish authorities appear determined to make the purchase.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned Sunday that his country would retaliate against the United States if it halts the sale of certain weapons to Ankara.
“Next week I will go on a visit to the United States. It’s about the fact that the cancellation of the sale of the F-35 is not acceptable, and if it (the cancellation) happens, then they (the Americans) will receive an appropriate response from Turkey,” he told CNN Turk.
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