American-Turkish relations take new turn

The relations of the two countries as taken new turn following Washington's new sanctions on Ankara, the U.S Secretary of State said they came due to Turkey's insistence on purchasing the S-400 system despite our previous warnings, while Ankara condemned this and vowed to respond.

14 December, 2020 17:48

NEWSDESK

U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that the sanctions include banning US export licenses for the Turkish Defense Industries Authority, freezing assets and imposing visa restrictions on the institution’s president, Ismail Demir, and other officials.

Pompeo said Washington had made clear to Turkey at the highest levels that the purchase of the S-400 system would endanger the security of US military technology and its personnel.

"Despite our warnings, Turkey went ahead with its purchase and testing of the S-400 system from Russia," Pompeo said in a statement.

In turn, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it rejects and denounces the unilateral US sanctions against Ankara.

The Turkish FM confirmed that the US sanctions would harm relations, stressing that Ankara would respond with the necessary action.

It called on the United States to retreat from the "big mistake it committed" in imposing sanctions.

(A)

ANHA