The US State Department said on Monday that the United States has imposed sanctions on Turkey for its cooperation with Russia. Specifically, the US sanctions were directed at the SSB, due to the Ankara authorities’ acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system, he writes. CNBC.
Turkey took control of the S-400 system last year, ignoring repeated warnings from the United States that the move would lead to sanctions. The Donald Trump administration said that Turkey, through this agreement on the Russian air defense system, was threatening the security of US military technology and providing funds for the Russian defense sector.
Turkey is a member of NATO, but has been suspended from the F-35 fighter jet program and has failed to purchase advanced aircraft from the United States.
The sanctions include a ban on all U.S. export licenses to the Sharia Supervisory Board and an asset freeze, as well as visa restrictions for Ismail Demir, head of the Turkish agency, according to the State Department.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: “The measures taken today are a clear indication that the United States (…) will not tolerate major deals with the Russian defense and intelligence sectors.” Agerpres.
Turkey, rebuked by Mike Pompeo at the NATO foreign ministers’ meeting
In a hypothetical NATO foreign ministers meeting in early December, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo denounced “violations” of alliance rules and the “policy of achievement” pursued by Ankara in several regional crises. Write Reuters.
One participant said Pompeo was “very direct” at his most recent meeting at NATO, urging Turkey to “return to Allied behavior.” Another said, “His intervention was very brief, but very clear.
The US Secretary of State denounced the “gift” that Ankara offered to Russia by purchasing the S400 portable missile defense system that was “inoperable with NATO systems.”
He also expressed regret for the “hostage taking” of NATO’s defense plans and partnerships, a position that “weakens the cohesion of the alliance,” the French daily Le Point wrote at the time.
