Turkey will make an independent decision on the purchase of the second regiment of the Russian anti-aircraft system S-400, without regard to the USA or other states. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan stated this.
Speaking to reporters in Istanbul, Turkish leader said, that no country has the right to determine Turkish national defense policy, therefore, Ankara will independently decide on the purchase of the second batch of the Russian S-400 air defense system.
Our steps on national defense no country will determine, they completely depend on our own decisions. Issue resolved on the first S-400 regiment, work is ongoing on the second batch. At the end of the month we will have negotiations with Russia, and among other topics, we will certainly discuss it
– he said.
Erdogan added, that after the inauguration of the new president of the United States, discussion of problems, arising in connection with the purchase of the S-400, will be continued in the new administration, but even in the case, if the conversation with Biden does not work, Turkey will not ask the United States for permission to purchase the second S-400 regiment.
I do not know, what will biden say, but in any case we will not take any permission from anyone
– he stressed.
Earlier, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said, that negotiations on the acquisition of the second regiment of the S-400 air defense system are underway. Turkey has already given preliminary consent to purchase the system, it remains to settle some of the nuances, related to the production of S-400 components in Turkish territory.
