Turkey and Russia signed a contract for the transfer of a second shipment of S-400 air defense systems. This is how a senior Russian military official was quoted today (Tuesday) by a news agency in the country.
This is a system that includes air-to-surface missiles and entered service with the Russian army back in 2007. It is important for Turkey, which faces, among other things, the threat of drones from militias in Syria and Iraq. In 2020, Turkey already purchased S-400 systems from Russia, a move that provoked anger in the US "B.
In retaliation, the Americans imposed sanctions on Turkish security officials.
Last year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan clarified that his country is considering buying additional missile systems despite the opposition of the US. In an interview with the American CBS network, Erdogan said that Turkey will make its decisions independently.
S-400 system in Russia.
Another shipment is on its way to Erdogan, photo: IPA
In the same interview, Erdogan explained that Turkey was not given the option to purchase American-made Patriot missiles.
According to him, the US also did not supply Ankara with F-35 aircraft, despite a payment of 1.4 billion dollars. "In the future, no one will be able to interfere in terms of what kind of defense systems we purchase, from which country and at what level," emphasized the Turkish president.
Joe Biden.
Will he respond to Turkey?, Photo: IPA
Now US President Joe Biden is in a sensitive position. Just recently the White House congratulated Erdogan for his efforts in mediating between Russia and Ukraine to eliminate the Ukrainian grain export barrier. This barrier contributed to the increase in world food prices. The Turkish president played a role as a mediator in the talks that led to the agreements, And therefore Washington has an interest in keeping him as a mediator against Russia.
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