Russia Says S-400s to be Delivered to Turkey by Year-End, US Warns of Economic Sanctions

*Minister of National Defense Akar met with his US counterpart yesterday. (Photo: AA)

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Russia plans to deliver the S-400 air defense systems to Turkey by the end of the year, the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation announced yesterday (June 26).

It added that the delivery can begin as early as July, as previously stated by Turkey, Russia's state-run TASS reported.

The US set Turkey deadline of July 31 earlier this month to give up on the S-400s, warning that it will be prevented from acquiring the F-35 fighter planes and it will face economic sanctions.

Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar met with US Acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper during the NATO meeting yesterday, with the Pentagon chief delivering the same message.

"The two leaders had a frank and transparent discussion where Secretary Esper reiterated that Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 air and missile defense system is incompatible with the F-35 program and that Turkey will not be permitted to have both systems," the Pentagon said in a readout.

The US is concerned that Turkey's possession of both systems can give Russia the opportunity to collect information on the F-35s and to find its weak points.

The Ministry of National Defense said the ministers exchanged views on the F-35 fighters planes, Syria and other bilateral issues of security and defense.

The meeting did not yield progress as both sides kept their positions on the matter.

Meanwhile, the allies of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) have been pushing for the completion of the procurement of the S-400s.

Semih Yalçın, the vice-chair of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said there is a "great cause of independence lies behind the S-400 crisis." Speaking to the state-run AA, he said that the "global powers" attempt to block Turkey's path to be a powerful state in the world over the S-400s.

Yalçın further claimed that the same powers are seeking to "overthrow the pro-independence government" in favor of an obedient one.

Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu previously said that the procurement of the S-400s is "a declaration of freedom and independence." (PT/VK)