It is a fact. The United States imposed penalties in Turkey on Monday evening, 14/12/20, for the purchase of the Russian anti-missile system of S-400.
The sanctions are imposed on the president of the Turkish Defence Industry Directorate (SSB), Ismail Demir and three other members of the Agency. They also include a ban on the US issuing export licences and authorisations to the SSB.
In a post on Twitter, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, states:
«Despite our warnings, Turkey has gone ahead with the purchase and testing of the S-400 system from Russia. Today's sanctions demonstrate that the US will fully implement the law.«Countering America's enemies through sanctions (CAATSA). We will not tolerate significant transactions with Russia's defense sector».
Despite our warnings, Turkey moved ahead with its purchase and testing of the S-400 system from Russia. Today's sanctions on Turkey's SSB demonstrates the U.S. will fully implement #CAATSA. We will not tolerate significant transactions with Russia's defence sector.
- Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 14, 2020
Pompeo is also trying to build bridges to reheat relations with the neighbour, calling Ankara «valuable ally» and «an important regional partner». He added that Washington «seeks to continue cooperation in the defence sector.»
In detail, Mike Pompeo's statement reads as follows:
«The US has made it clear to Turkey at the highest possible level and on numerous occasions that the purchase of the S-400 system would compromise the security of US military technology and personnel and provide significant funds to the Russian defence sector, as well as Russian access to the Turkish armed forces and defence industry.
Today's decision sends a clear message that the US will fully implement CAATSA and will not tolerate significant transactions with Russia's defence and intelligence agencies. I also call on Turkey to immediately resolve the S-400 issue in coordination with the United States. Turkey is a valuable ally and important regional security partner for the United States, and we want to continue our decades of productive defense cooperation by removing the obstacle of Turkey's possession of the S-400 as soon as possible.».
Turkey: The decision lacks logic, we will respond accordingly
For its part, the Anchor reacted strongly to the imposition of US sanctions, even threatening to retaliate against Washington.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry, in its statement, condemns the decision and says that «the US refusal to accept our proposal to resolve the issue through dialogue and diplomacy, in a manner befitting two allies, and its resort to unilateral sanctions is an act that lacks logic».
Ankara threatens the USA and states that «Turkey will take the necessary measures against this decision, which will inevitably have negative consequences for our relations».
It also stresses that «will respond accordingly as and when it deems appropriate».
«Turkey will not hesitate to take the measures it considers necessary to ensure national security,» he said.
