Turkey says it will not turn back from Russian S-400s
Turkey will not turn back from its acquisition of Russian S-400 defense systems despite US sanctions, it said, but added it would seek to resolve issues with its Nato ally through dialogue. In December, Washington imposed sanctions on Ankara for acquiring the S-400s on grounds they threaten its F-35 fighter jets and are incompatible with shared Nato defences. Turkey rejects this and says the systems will stand independently from Nato defences. Since Joe Biden was elected US president, Ankara has said it wants better ties and again proposed an S-400 joint working group. But Washington has repeatedly rejected that and says sanctions will remain until Turkey no longer possesses the missiles. The US has also removed Turkey from its F-35 jet programme. Turkey has said its purchase of the S-400s was a necessity, as it had no suitable alternatives from Nato allies.
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