Washington says ‘possible’ Ankara will reject Russian missiles

May 17, 2019

Alarabiya – The US believes it is “possible” Turkey will decide against buying a Russian air defense system whose proposed purchase has strained relations between the NATO allies, a top official said on Thursday.

Washington has warned for months that Turkey’s adoption of the Russian S-400 missile system would endanger Western defense and jeopardize Ankara’s planned purchase of 100 of the US’s F-35 stealth fighter jets.

Asked on Thursday if Turkey may ultimately change its mind on the S-400, deputy US defense secretary Heather Wilson replied “it’s possible.”

“The diplomats are continuing the work on that,” she said, reiterating that the S-400 is “incompatible with having the F-35.”

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