The US State Department called on Turkey to destroy, return or in any other way get rid of the Russian S-400 air defense systems. This was announced by a senior representative of the department during communication with reporters.
“As you noted, there is a place at the negotiating table for Turkey. They understand that for this they need to destroy, return the S-400 or in some other way get rid of them. At the same time, we, of course, do not exclude the possibility of acquiring the Patriot complex (American-made air defense systems. - RT ) that meets their needs in the field of air defense, "the State Department website quotes him.
According to an employee of the American foreign affairs agency, the purchase of Ankara S-400 has jeopardized bilateral relations and "compatibility with other countries." In this regard, he recalled, the United States expelled Turkey from the program for the development and production of fifth-generation fighter F-35s.
Washington is also considering the imposition of sanctions against Ankara in accordance with the Law on Countering US Enemies through Sanctions (CAATSA), the State Department spokesman recalled. He explained that the law does not define clear timelines for introducing restrictions, and also provides for various scales and severity of restriction.
“The Law on Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions” does not imply prescribed and absolute terms. The scope, scope and severity of possible sanctions against Turkey remain extensive, ”said a State Department official.
The American diplomat also recalled that the United States could impose sanctions against Egypt if the country buys Su-35 fighters from Russia.
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Journalists expressed bewilderment over the fact that the United States threatens Egypt with sanctions under the law on countering "opponents." To which the representative of the State Department noted that the application of CAATSA does not depend on the level of bilateral relations.
“There can be no unconditional immunity to this law, however, it also does not apply indiscriminately. I say this because there are states declaring: "We are good, and since we have close relations, you will not begin to impose sanctions against us." Well, wait, ”the diplomat said.
In connection with the threats of imposing sanctions on the allies, one gets the feeling that the United States did not have other instruments of foreign policy, stated Konstantin Blokhin, an expert at the Center for Security Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
“Now it’s obvious that the United States unleashed sanctions wars not on one country, but on several fronts. Not just against your opponents, but against allies. In this case, the sanctions can no longer work. They become a kind of spirit of the time. It seems that sanctions are the only instrument of US foreign policy, ”he told RT.
“We will not take a step back on the S-400”
The United States strongly opposes Turkey’s acquisition of Russian air defense systems. President Donald Trump spoke out on this subject. He admitted that Washington acted dishonestly when he refused to buy his Patriot systems, and then began to threaten when Ankara decided to acquire the S-400. However, according to the head of the White House, Russian air defense systems are incompatible with NATO systems, and Turkey must refuse the contract.
However, Ankara has repeatedly stated that it will adhere to the agreement concluded with Moscow. According to the Turkish leadership, these supplies are important for ensuring the security and sovereignty of the country.
“We told Trump that we would not take a step back on the S-400. We agreed to resolve the issue. Once again I explained how we approached the purchase of the S-400, and he acknowledges our innocence. I once again spoke about the injustice on the F-35 issue. We are not clients, but partners, ”Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on November 19.
The first complexes arrived in the country in July. At the moment, the Turkish military is being trained in the operation of the S-400. It is planned that the air defense system will go into service in early 2020.
It is worth noting that on Friday, November 22, US-Turkish talks on the S-400 should take place. This was reported a day earlier by RIA Novosti in the Turkish Foreign Ministry. According to experts, statements by the representative of the State Department should have put pressure on partners before the meeting. However, according to Blokhin, this will only aggravate relations between the countries.
“Such pressure from the United States is fraught with even greater problems for Washington. Today, the US task with regard to Turkey is to preserve it within NATO. If you press on Turkey, it will move away from the United States towards Russia. If they continue such a course, it will be a fatal and grave mistake, ”the expert warned.
"Damage to ourselves."
US behavior in the arms market jeopardizes their own military-industrial complex, said Andrei Manoilo, a doctor of political sciences and professor at Moscow State University.
“I think that the United States with such statements and actions with the F-35 cause damage, first of all, to ourselves. F-35s cost a lot of money, and their value, when it comes to small batches of procurement, is very doubtful. So the US is losing a lucrative contract without getting anything in return. They harm their military-industrial complex, ”he stressed in an interview with RT.
So, Turkey has already stated that if they cannot agree with the United States on the F-35, then they can find another partner in fifth-generation aircraft. In particular, during his visit to the MAKS-2019 air show in Russia in late August, Erdogan admitted that Turkey could acquire Russian Su-57 or Su-35 fighters.
"Why not? We haven’t come in vain. After we find out the final decision of the USA, we will take our own steps. We have no concern about what will happen if this does not work out. All will be. The market where we can provide ourselves with what we need is large, ”he said.