S-400 systems. FILE IMAGE: Alexey Malgavko / Sputnik
The United States asked Turkey to hand over its Russian-made S-400 long-range air defense system to Ukraine and Ankara refused, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with Habertürk that was published on May 7.
“There were several proposals from the U.S. for the S-400. We were told: give us control, give it to another place. We can’t accept it. This is a proposal affecting our independence,” the minister said. “We were even offered to send them to Ukraine, and we said it was impossible, we bought it for ourselves.”
Turkish and Russian officials signed a $2.5 billion agreement for delivery of several S-400 batteries and dozens of long-range anti-aircraft missiles in late 2017.
The U.S. Secretary of State raised concerns over the deal, which were rebuffed by President Erdogan and other Turkish officials, citing Washington’s refusal to sell upgraded MIM-104 Patriot air defense systems to Turkey.
The Turkish military received its first installment of the Russian S-400 missile defense system in 2019. Soon after, Turkey was suspended from the F-35 stealth fighter jet program, with the U.S. stating “F-35 cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities.” Later in 2020, the U.S. escalated further by imposing sanctions on Turkey.
As of 2023, the U.S. has not refunded the $1.4 billion payment made by Turkey for purchasing F-35 fighter jets, or lifted sanctions imposed in response to the S-400 deal.
Turkey, a NATO member since 1952, supplied weapons to Kiev forces, including combat drones, armored vehicles and precision-guided missiles, after the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine in 2022. However, it refused to break special relations with Russia, or impose sanctions on the country.
Cavusoglu’s interview reveals how the U.S. has been pressuring its allies to secure more air defense systems for Ukraine, as the country’s stockpiles of Soviet-era systems are reportedly about to be depleted.
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