Turkey angry and defenceless against US sanctions

The Turkish Foreign Ministry released a statement yesterday condemning and rejecting the announcement of US sanctions against its defence industry.

Despite continue warnings from Washington, Turkey insisted with provocative actions by purchasing and more importantly testing a Russian S-400 air defence system in clear violation of its NATO membership. Nonetheless, Ankara remains angry and defiant in its response.

“We condemn and reject the decision to impose unilateral sanctions against Turkey as announced today by the U.S. in the context of Turkey’s acquisition of S-400 air defence systems,” was the opening statement.

Turkey alleges that it was compelled to acquire S-400 because the US refused to sell it its equivalent Patriot air defence system, something which Washington has rejected as factually incorrect.

In the statement, Turkey denies that that S-400 systems will jeopardize NATO systems saying such claims are devoid of any technical merit and “moreover, Turkey has repeatedly proposed to address this issue in an objective, realistic and politically unbiased manner through a working group with the participation of NATO.”

“Therefore, the U.S. recourse to unilateral sanctions, by refusing our proposal to solve this matter through dialogue and diplomacy as befitting two allies, is completely senseless.

“Turkey will take the necessary steps against this decision, which will negatively affect our relations and will retaliate in a manner and timing it deems appropriate. Turkey will never refrain from taking the necessary measures to safeguard its national security.

“With this understanding, we urge the U.S. to reconsider this unfair decision as announced today and to rectify this grave mistake as soon as possible, while emphasizing once again that Turkey stands ready to address this issue through dialogue and diplomacy in conformity with the spirit of alliance,” concludes the statement.