President Erdogan called the supply of S-400 air defense systems from Russia an internal matter of Turkey

Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: Florion Goga / Reuters

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the supply of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems “Triumph” an internal matter of the country and said that they do not bear a negative attitude towards NATO. His words are quoted by RIA Novosti.

The Head of State stressed that the agreement on Ankara’s acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems is an important step in terms of developing cooperation between Turkey and Russia.

Erdogan also said that Russian complexes are a very important defense system. “This is our decision. We have made this decision, we have agreed with Russia. This step does not bring any negativity from the point of view of NATO,” he said.

The Turkish leader concluded that the member countries of the alliance have the right to independently make decisions on the purchase of weapons for the needs of their armed forces.

Earlier, Erdogan assessed Turkey’s purchase of Russian C-400 with the words “there are no steps back.” He stressed that the country independently makes decisions about what and from whom to purchase.

Negotiations on the purchase of Russian air defense systems, which caused a crisis in relations between Turkey and the United States, began in mid-July 2019. Washington demanded to abandon the deal and instead purchase American Patriot complexes, threatening to delay or even cancel the sale of the latest F-35 Lightning II fighters to Turkey.