Turkey crossed another "red line", moving on to testing the operation of the radars of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems acquired from Russia. This was stated by US Senator Chris Van Hollen.

“Two weeks after his visit to the White House, Erdogan doesn’t put Trump, the USA and NATO penniless and crosses the next border allowed on the S-400 issue. Under current law, Trump is required to impose sanctions, ”the senator wrote.

In addition, in his opinion, the Secretary of State of the United States of America Mike Pompeo should demand an explanation from Turkey in connection with her latest violations in the “safe zone” and attacks on the Kurds.

On Sunday, November 25, Turkish media reported that military aircraft, including F-16 fighters, perform training flights to test communications with components of the Russian Triumph.

Recall that back in October, Van Hollen, together with Republican Lindsay Graham, announced the work on a bill on sanctions against Turkey. The document says that Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems is a significant violation of the American Law on Countering America’s Enemies through Sanctions (CAATSA). At the same time, it is planned that restrictive measures will affect senior Turkish officials involved in the operation "Source of Peace", including Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar.

On October 29, the document was approved by the US House of Representatives. Ankara condemned this move by Washington, because it “does not correspond to the spirit of NATO and contradicts the agreement with the US leadership regarding Syria, which was reached on October 17”.

Then the head of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jim Rish, threatened sanctions to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan because of the S-400 air defense system.

“Turkey can’t see the supplies of F-35, while in its country, under Turkish control, there are S-400 complexes. In addition, if he firmly believes that they should stay, then I will continue to push for the adoption of a law on sanctions against Turkey. This is his (Erdogan . - RT ) choice, and the consequences are known to him, ”the statement of November 16 said.

Later, a senior representative of the US State Department called on Ankara to get rid of the Russian Triumphs in any way possible.

In turn, Turkish officials have repeatedly pointed out the impossibility of abandoning Russian air defense systems.

“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 real transition of the red line will put an end to relations between the US and Turkey”

According to the director of the Franklin Roosevelt Foundation for the Study of the USA at Moscow State University, Yuri Rogulev, the situation in relations between Turkey and America is not simple, but the Donald Trump administration does not want to bring them to a critical level.

“After Erdogan’s visit, they agreed that a joint commission would be created. Therefore, I think that they will nevertheless seek common ground and take joint steps to prevent the conflict from reaching an open confrontation. At the same time, they constantly demand something from Turkey, but they do not want to meet them. So Turkey can also be understood here, ”the source said.

In turn, an expert at the International Institute for Humanitarian and Political Studies, Vladimir Bruter, noted the desire of the Democrats to create some kind of aggravation between the US and Turkey, pointing out the weakness of the position of the head of the White House Donald Trump on this issue.

“The Trump administration also understands that any transition of the real“ red line ”on its part may also mean that relations with Turkey will be irrevocably ruined, and it would be more profitable to maintain them. For the United States, weakening the southern flank of NATO and introducing additional confrontation within the bloc would be very dangerous, ”the expert said in an interview with RT.

He also pointed out that Ankara, in principle, can no longer refuse the Russian S-400, since the deliveries took place. Moreover, this step will be for Turkey a recognition of its own weakness, the expert explained.

“Erdogan is not profitable to show weakness for both internal and external reasons. He determines the rules of the game, and not impose them on him. As for the American position, it will be reduced to the fact that the Trump administration will not put barriers to Congress regarding sanctions, but will not try to update this issue, ”stated Bruter.