Turkey S-400 Dilemma

[Khafee]

U.S. senators urge sanctions on Turkey over Russian missile system​

By Reuters Staff
October 8, 2020
Updated 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Republican and a Democratic U.S. senator called on Wednesday for President Donald Trump’s administration to impose sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 anti-aircraft system, after a report that Turkey may be planning a comprehensive test.

Republican James Lankford and Democrat Chris Van Hollen wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asking about the report and saying that Washington’s failure to act more decisively about the S-400 purchase had “emboldened” Turkey’s government.

Turkey bought a batch of the missile systems from Russia last year, leading to its suspension by Washington from the U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jet program. The United States has said Turkey risks U.S. sanctions if it deploys the Russian-made S-400s, but has not yet imposed them.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter.

Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that Turkey was planning to conduct a comprehensive test of the S-400 missile-defense system, citing people familiar with the matter.

Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Marguerita Choy

 

[Khafee]

'Major Obstacle': US 'Deeply Concerned' Over Reports of Turkey Potentially Testing S-400s​

07.10.2020

On Tuesday, it was reported that Turkey had deployed its S-400 air defence systems to the northern city of Samsun near the Black Sea, probably for testing, with Ankara making no official statement on the matter.
The US State Department has expressed alarm over reports about possible tests by Turkey of its Russian-made S-400 missile systems.

"We are aware of these reports. We continue to object strenuously to Turkey's purchase of the S-400 air defence system, and are deeply concerned with reports that Turkey is continuing its efforts to bring the S-400 into operation. Our suspension of Turkey from the F-35 programme, in response to the S-400 acquisition, signalled the seriousness with which the administration approaches this issue”, a State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday.

They added that Washington continues to underscore "at the highest levels" that the S-400 deal between Ankara and Moscow "remains a major obstacle in the bilateral [Turkish-US] relationship and at NATO, as well as a risk for potential CAATSA [Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act] sanctions".

The spokesperson expressed hope that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and those in his orbit will "understand" Washington's position on the issue.

The remarks came amid reports that Ankara had deployed its S-400 missile systems to the northern Turkish city of Samsun, probably for testing - something that has not been commented on by the country's authorities yet.

This followed the aviation blog Fighter Jets World citing unnamed intelligence sources as saying in mid-July that the Turkish military had started new field testing of the S-400s against the US-made F-16 and F-4 fighter jets at the Murted Air Base outside Ankara.

In November 2019, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced concern over Turkey testing the S-400 air defences, telling reporters that the US had "made very clear to the Turkish government" Washington's desire "to see them move away from putting into full operationalisation the S-400 weapons system".

US, Turkey at Loggerheads Over S-400​

The deliveries of Russia's S-400s to Turkey began in July 2019, triggering a crisis in Ankara's relations with Washington.

The White House demanded that Turkey abandon the deal and purchase US Patriot missile systems instead, threatening to delay or even cancel the sales of F-35 fighters to Turkey, or to introduce sanctions.

Ankara defied the threats and continued negotiations with Russia on an extra batch of S-400s.

The US has repeatedly claimed that the Russian missile systems are incompatible with NATO security standards and may compromise the operations of its fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, allegations that Turkey vehemently rejects.