16 minutes agoMilitary deals with Russia, US warns sanctions on Turkey, Egypt
Periskopi(7 years ago)
(7 years ago)A senior US State Department official has warned sanctions against American allies Turkey and Egypt about military agreements these countries have linked to Russia. The official, who announced journalists under anonymity, said Ankara must avoid Russian missile defence system S-400 , if it wants to improve [...]
A senior US State Department official has warned sanctions against American allies Turkey and Egypt about military agreements these countries have linked to Russia.
The official, who announced journalists under anonymity, said Ankara must avoid Russian missile defence system S-400 , if it wants to improve ties with Washington.
Turkey, a NATO member, accepted the first part of missile defence systems in July, prompting the United States to suspend Turkey's participation in the F-35 combat aircraft programme.
US and NATO military officials have long opposed the purchase of Russia's system from Turkey, saying it was not in line with alliance military systems and would jeopardise new F-35 aircraft used by the West.
The United States says Russia will be able to receive sensitive technical details about the new American fighter plane through the S-400 system.
Washington has pressured Turkey to give up buying the Russian system and instead buy the US-made Patriot system, but Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has refused to withdraw, even at risk of sanctions.
The US official also said the United States is working with Egypt to prevent it from proceeding with a $2 billion deal to buy more than 20 Russian fighter Su-35 aircraft.
