US Sanctions Turkey For Purchasing Russian Missile System
By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – The United States has sanctioned Turkey, a NATO military alliance ally after it defiantly bought a Russian anti-aircraft missile system.
“Today’s action sends a clear signal that the United States will fully implement (US law) and will not tolerate significant transactions with Russia’s defense and intelligence sectors,” said
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The new sanctions include a ban on all U.S. export licenses and loans to Turkey’s defense procurement agency. It also involves an asset freeze on the agency’s president, Ismail Demir, among other government officials.
U.S. officials claim Ankara’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system could jeopardize American and European security. “The United States made clear to Turkey at the highest levels and on numerous occasions that its purchase of the S-400 system would endanger the security of U.S. military technology and personnel, Pompeo stressed.
He added the deal would “provide substantial funds to Russia’s defense sector, as well as Russian access to the Turkish armed forces and defense industry,” which is part of NATO. “Turkey nevertheless decided to move ahead with the procurement and testing of the S-400, despite the availability of alternative, NATO-interoperable systems to meet its defense requirements,” he complained.
It was not clear why the administration of U.S. President Donald J. Trump waited until now to impose the penalties. Turkey reportedly finalized its acquisition of the Russian military system more than a year ago.
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