'It's a problem': Trump tells Erdogan on Russia missile deal

Turkey's purchase of a major Russian missile defence system is "a problem", US President Donald Trump told his Turkish counterpart in a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 on Saturday.

Washington has made clear it opposes the purchase of the Russian S-400 system, giving Turkey until July 31 to give up the deal, which it considers incompatible with Ankara's participation in the F-35 fighter jet programme.

And Trump reiterated the position in talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Japan's Osaka where the G20 summit is being held.

"It's a problem, there's no question about it," Trump said.

"It's not good. It's not good."

But he added that Turkey "has been a friend of ours... We're a big trading partner. We're going to be much bigger."

Washington has said that if by July 31 Turkey does not give up on the S-400 system, Ankara would be blocked from purchasing F-35 fighter jets and Turkish pilots currently training in the US would be expelled.

The purchase has raised eyebrows among Turkey's NATO allies and provoked anger in Washington, which expected Ankara to opt for the American Patriot air defence system instead.

But Turkey has remained committed to the purchase, with Erdogan saying earlier this month: "We have completed the business. God willing, the system will be delivered to our country next month."

Meeting President Vladimir Putin, Erdogan said the deal with Russia was "of prime importance" to Turkey, showing no signs of backtracking on the deal.

Related Links
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

Europe powerless as Iran nuclear deal unravels
Paris (AFP) June 27, 2019
The 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, hailed at the time as a historic boost for regional peace, is unravelling before the eyes of its European backers who appear powerless in the face of US rejection of the accord, analysts say. The United States, under the presidency of Barack Obama, was among the powers that clinched the deal. But in May 2018, Donald Trump declared he was abandoning the signature foreign policy achievement of his predecessor. European powers led by Germany and France have sought to ... read more