Trump threatens Erdogan if they buy rockets from Putin

What's this about in “buildup for the” missiles? 

Turkey seeks to protect its airspace with a Russian missile system. Washington requires that NATO partner Turkey acquire the American defence system, Patriot, as a country. The US government has given the ultimatum to the Turkish government, US television CNBC reports. Ankara has two weeks to give up buying Russian air missiles, otherwise sanctions will be imposed. Washington also threatens to reject Turkey's supply of F 35.

How did the dispute begin?

The US government has been putting pressure on Turkey for months now. US President Donald Trump has criticised the acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defence system. US Foreign Minister Mike Pompeii has even threatened sanctions. But Ankara has not changed its mind. Turkish Defence Minister Hulus Akar announced this week that Turkish soldiers are already in Russia to learn about the use of S-400. In June or July, the system will be handed over to Turkey, and in autumn it will be installed.

What's Trump's problem with this deal?

The Trump administration's confrontational stance has economic and military reasons. Ankara is required to scrap the market, because Washington wants Turkey to certainly buy the American air defence system Patriot. In addition, in the US and other NATO countries are thought of security issues as well. Because Russian military techniques are not appropriate for NATO systems. In addition, there is the fear that through S-400 radar, Moscow can obtain classified information about F-35 fighter aircraft. After all, the Turkish military will combine the Russian air protection system with American warplanes. Also, concern has been raised that co-operation with Moscow could spur Ankara's secession from Western partners, with whom it is in the Alliance. Experts note Turkey is returning more from eastern states such as Iran, China and Russia, not only to the military field.

What could be the consequence for Turkey?

American economic sanctions can hit Turkey hard. Turkey has been in serious economic and monetary crisis since last year. Inflation and unemployment have greatly burdened the population. How sanctions on Turkey's already faltering economy could impact, it was seen last August when the Trump government increased customs tariffs for steel and aluminum because the Turkish government was refusing to release American pastor Andrew Brunson from prison. Economy experts estimated that US sanctions severely exacerbated the economic crisis in Turkey. That happened also because tensions between Turkey and the West intimidate investors.

What chance is there of a fight ending?

Nothing indicates that Erdogan's government intends to withdraw. According to Turkish Defence Minister Hulus Akar, talks with the US on purchasing the American Patriot system continue, even Washington has made a less costly offer. But Turkish President Erdogan continues to say he is determined to make purchases from the Russians. Tuesday, Akar said the US is preparing sanctions. One of the reasons Turks take a firm stand is that at the price of $2.5 billion for two batteries, the Russian air protection system is much cheaper than American. However, S-400 is extremely modern and efficient, with a range of 400km action and can shoot targets up to 60km of height.

S-400, Russian air protection system

Why do not NATO partners agree?

That the missile system talks have been so complicated even with the fact that American-Turkish relations have never been as bad as they are now. The quarrel about American priest Brunson is just a little thing. The war in Syria has tested reports between the two NATO partners. Americans have been linked to the Syrian civil war with Kurdish militias YPG, to fight against so-called Islamic States. In Ankara, the YPG is viewed as the Syrian branch of the PKK terrorist organisation, so deemed dangerous. Another point for the poor climate between Ankara and Washington is American politics towards Iran. The U.S. government just toughened sanctions against Iran. As of early May, sanctions will be imposed on all countries importing oil from Iran. So far there have been exceptions for only eight countries, including Turkey. /DW/