Despite US pressure, Turkey is not changing its mind on its decision to purchase Russian S-400 missile-defense systems. The US has put its planned sale of US F-35 fighter jets to Turkey on hold because it fear that the use of a Russian missile-defense system by Turkey, a NATO ally, may undermine the security of F-35 fighter jets.
However, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday that the country might actually expand it’s S-400 purchase if it cannot buy US Patriots missile defense systems. Cavusoglu also stressed that Turkey will look for alternatives to the F-35 if the US refuses to go through with the sale. Separately, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey might speed up its S-400 order so that the missile-defense systems will arrive in Turkey before July, when they were scheduled to arrive.
The United States has warned Turkey that it cannot have both the F-35 and the S-400. Some analysts believe that if Turkey refuses to change course, Washington may seriously reconsider whether Turkey should remain part of NATO.
Read more: Turkey will look elsewhere if U.S. won’t sell Patriots, F-35s: minister
