China News Service, December 15th. According to a report from the Russian Satellite Network, on the 14th local time, the US government announced sanctions against Turkey on the grounds that Turkey purchased the Russian-made S-400 air defense system.
In response, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied that it “condemns and rejects” the relevant decisions of Washington and reserves the right to respond.
According to reports, the U.S. Treasury Department stated on the 14th that it imposed sanctions on four Turkish officials and the Turkish Defense Industry Agency, which is responsible for purchasing the S-400 system related to Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system.
In this regard, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Turkey will “take necessary measures to oppose this decision, which may inevitably have a negative impact on our relations. In addition, to ensure national security, Turkey will not take corresponding necessary measures. Keep restraint."
However, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not specify what these measures may contain.
Turkey signed a contract with Russia in 2017 to purchase the S-400 air defense missile system.
The United States and other NATO countries have repeatedly warned Turkey not to purchase this Russian-made system, believing that the system is not compatible with NATO weapon systems and may help Russia locate and track the F-35 fighters of the United States and its allies in the future.
The Russian side began to deliver the S-400 system to the Turkish side in July 2019, and the United States subsequently announced that it would cease Turkish participation in the F-35 fighter project.
Turkish President Erdogan confirmed in October 2020 that the Turkish side has tested the S-400 system and said that the test will continue and that the Turkish side will not seek permission from the US for this.