Turkey is not discussing the refusal of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems under the pressure of the US or NATO, Ismail Demir, head of the Republic's Defense Industry Directorate, told the Izvestia newspaper.
"This is not a subject of discussion for us. We have discussed this issue in the past, and now we are just continuing [cooperation with Russia]. Refusal from it is not even discussed," the politician told the publication.
He noted that Turkey's position is to ensure peace and end the conflict in Ukraine.
"I see no reason why Turkey should give up our S-400s and hand them over to Ukraine," State Duma deputy Alexei Chepa told Izvestiya. - "Why would they do that? These systems work for them: they're reliable systems, better than the Patriot systems. I don't think Turkey is going to go along with America's demands".
Earlier, the Pentagon confirmed that the US was in talks with Ankara on sending Kiev S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems in exchange for Turkey's return to the US program for production of the fifth generation fighter aircraft F-35 and lifting of sanctions against Ankara.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV/TASS
Based on materials from TASS