Foreign Minister: S-400 Missiles to Come to Turkey

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has held a joint press conference with Jean-Yves Le Drian, his counterpart from France, in Ankara.

Making remarks on US acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan's letter to his counterpart in Turkey, Çavuşoğlu said that they do not accept "the language of the letter."

"No one can give an ultimatum to Turkey. Turkey has purchased the S-400 defense system from Russia, as our President said. Turkey does not reverse a decision it took. S-400 defense system will come to Turkey," he said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said yesterday (June 12), "I am not saying 'Turkey will buy the S-400 defense systems,' it has bought them. We completed this business. Apart from their moderate price, we also got the word for joint production. Inshallah [the missiles] will come in a short time."

Conflict in İdlib

Mevlütoğlu also commented on the conflict in İdlib, where the Syrian army has been conducting military operations with the help of Russia and Iran against Turkey-backed armed groups.

"It is not possible right now to say that a ceasefire has been reached. We are doing our part in Idlib.

"The regime targets schools, hospitals and civilians there. 200 thousand civilians left their homes.

"This is a disaster. This morning, an attack was perpetrated on our 10th observation post. Three of our soldiers were slightly affected by that.

"We think the attacks are blatant. We are speaking with Russia about this. If the regime continues its attacks, we will do what is necessary. No one should be skeptical about that."

Turkey established 12 observation zones in the de-escalation zones in İdlib, in an agreement with Iran and Russia.

Le Drian also announced his country's support for Turkey regarding the situation in İdlib, saying that breaking the ceasefire can yield dramatic results "for everyone."

Le Drian also commented on reports in the media of Greece that suggest a military deployment by France in Cyprus. "We certainly do not foresee French deployment in Cyprus. The Greek press is mistaken," he said. (PT/VK)