Turkey rejected USs ultimatum to back down on Russian missile deal
15, Jun 2019
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CONTEXT:
- Turkey will not back down from its decision to buy Russian S-400 missile defense systems despite U.S.’s ultimatum. This has created tension between Ankara and Washington, the NATO allies.
- The S-400s are not compatible with NATO’s defense systems. US said it would compromise its F-35s, which Turkey also plans to buy. Turkey has proposed that the allies form a working group to asses the impact of the S-400s, but has yet to receive a response from the United States.
- S. urged Turkey to abandon its purchase of a Russian missile defence system. If Turkey does not end the deal, U.S. said that it would expel the Turkish pilots training on the F-35 fighter jet programme.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu suggested an offer to set up a joint working group to resolve U.S. concerns.