Moscow sees no obstacles to Turkey's acquisition of an additional batch of S-400 Triumph SAM systems from the Russian side, said Yuri Pilpson, director of the Fourth European Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
"As for the possibility for Turkey to acquire an additional batch of S-400 Triumph SAMs, we see no fundamental obstacles to the development of the already accumulated positive experience in the field of high-tech military and technical cooperation with the Turkish side," said Pilpson.
The Foreign Ministry commented on the US desire to buy S-400 from Turkey
Moscow regards Washington's desire to buy Russian S-400 SAM system from Ankara as another demonstration of the US line to achieve its goals through pressure, said Pilpson.
Earlier, Republican Senator John Tune proposed to resolve controversies between the US and Turkey over Russian S-400 systems by buying them from Ankara, according to the text of the proposed amendment to the US defense budget. A condition of the purchase is Turkey's assurances that it will not buy other military equipment that is incompatible with the NATO requirement.
"We regard this as another manifestation of the US line to achieve its narrow goals through pressure, open blackmail and even outright threats instead of honest dialogue at the negotiating table. And, as we see in this example and in many other episodes, Washington pathologically rejects anyone's truly independent foreign policy, consistent with their own interests - whether Russia or even the closest NATO allies," said Pilpson, commenting on Washington's desire to buy out the Russian S-400 missile defense system.
Deliveries of the latest Russian S-400 air defense systems, which caused a crisis in Turkey's relations with the United States, began in mid-July 2019. Washington demanded to withdraw from the deal and in return to purchase American Patriot complexes, threatening to delay or cancel the sale of the latest F-35 fighters to Turkey, as well as to impose sanctions in accordance with the law "On Countering American Enemies through Sanctions" (CAATSA). Ankara refused to make concessions and continued negotiations for an additional batch of S-400. The Trump administration has not yet realized its threat to impose sanctions against Turkey.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Depo Photos via ZUMA Wire / TASS
Based on materials from RIA Novosti