TASS:
ANKARA, February 18. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday criticized claims Ankara must give up the idea of purchasing Russia’s air defense systems S-400.
“All of them say we must give up the purchase of S-400. Why should we change our mind? We have the right to use different systems. We do not believe that you have the right to criticize us,” he said in a speech in Burdur, telecast by the NTV channel.
Last week Erdogan confirmed that Ankara had no intention of dropping the S-400 contract, adding that Turkey hoped to have the Russian air defense systems in July.
Turkey-Russia talks over an S-400 contract hit the headlines in November 2016. Russia confirmed the conclusion of the deal on September 12, 2017. Erdogan said the prepayment under the contract had been made already.
