Ankara
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said it would be “very problematic” for Ankara to turn back on its purchase of Russian S-400 anti-air craft defense systems but expressed hope that a dispute with the United States on the issue could be resolved through dialogue. Akar also reiterated that Turkey was in talks with Russia on obtaining a second consignment of the S400 defense systems. Washington slapped sanctions on NATO ally Turkey’s Defense Industry Directorate (SSB), its chief Ismail Demir and three other employees last month following its acquisition of the S-400s. “It is a very problematic situation to turn back from the point we have come to. We invite (US) to distance themselves from threatening language such as sanctions,” Akar told journalists in Ankara.—Reuters
