Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that Turkey's deal to buy Russian S-400 missile defense systems had "nothing to do" with the security of the U.S.
He said in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir that it is very clear why Turkey has bought this air defense system, under what conditions it has bought them and how it will be used, adding that the "issue was not about the S-400s" but about Turkey "taking actions on its own accord," especially in Syria.
U.S. Defense Department spokesman Charlie Summers said on Friday there would be "grave consequences" for Turkey if it went ahead with the deal, noting that Turkey would withhold F-35 fighter jets or U.S. Patriot missiles approved for sale to Ankara in December for 3.5 billion dollars.
Experts analyzed that Turkey has zero experience with the S-400 or its predecessors and will need Russian assistance to become proficient in the system.
Washington has raised questions over the equipment's compatibility with the NATO alliance's established weapon systems and believed the S-400 sale is part of Russian efforts to disrupt the alliance.
Erdogan and Putin have been working closely to secure a political solution to the Syrian war under the Astana process with Iran.
