Biden's secretary of state calls Turkey a 'so-called strategic partner'

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US President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has accused Turkey of not acting like an ally, criticizing its purchase of the S-400 air defense systems from Russia.

"The idea that a strategic - so-called strategic - partner of ours would actually be in line with one of our biggest strategic competitors in Russia is not acceptable," Blinken told the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee.

"Turkey is an ally, that in many ways... is not acting as an ally should and this is a very, very significant challenge for us and we're very clear-eyed about it," he added.

"I think we need to take a look to see the impact that the existing sanctions have had and then determine whether [there is] more that needs to be done," he said.

Last month, the US sanctioned Turkey's arms purchasing agency over the purchase of the S-400s.

Turkey agreed with Russia to buy the missile systems in April 2017 and received the first batch of equipment in July 2019 despite objections by the US.

In response, Washington removed Turkey from the F-35 fighter plane program, citing the concerns that the simultaneous operation of the S-400s and the fighter jets may enable Russia to obtain critical information about the F-35s.

Not taking a step back, Ankara confirmed in October 2020 that it tested the S-400s for the first time. (PT/VK)