Erdogan defies threatened US sanctions over missiles

Erdogan defies threatened US sanctions over missiles
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the media after Friday prayers in Istanbul, Oct. 23, 2020. (AP)
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Updated 25 October 2020
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Erdogan defies threatened US sanctions over missiles

Erdogan defies threatened US sanctions over missiles
  • Turkey has confirmed the first test of the S-400 system despite repeated warnings of US sanctions
  • The Pentagon strongly condemned “Turkey’s testing of this system"

ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday hit back at a US threat of sanctions if Ankara activated Russian-built S-400 air defense systems despite Washington’s opposition.
Turkey has confirmed the first test of the S-400 system despite repeated warnings of sanctions from its chief NATO ally, the United States.
“You told us to send back the S-400s. We are not a tribal state, we are Turkey,” Erdogan said in a televised speech in Malatya, eastern Turkey.
The Pentagon on Friday strongly condemned “Turkey’s testing of this system, which risks serious consequences for our security relationship.”
Turkey faces potential sanctions under a 2017 law known as CAATSA, which mandates sanctions for any “significant” purchases of weapons from Russia.
Turkey had already been removed from the F-35 fighter jet program over the S-400 purchase.
Erdogan remained defiant on Sunday, saying: “Whatever your sanctions are, don’t hesitate to apply them.”