U.S. concerns about Turkey’s intention to test Russian S-400 air-defense system

WASHINGTON, D.C. / ANKARA — The U.S. State Department expressed its concern about Turkey’s intention to test the Russian S-400 air-defense system as it poses a threat to NATO aircraft.

Reports that Turkey will test the S-400 between 5 and 16 October have aroused deep concerns in Washington. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department declared on Tuesday that the U.S. is aware of these reports and expressed the U.S.’s categorical rejection of Turkey’s purchase of the system without NATO approval.

“We continue to stress at the highest levels that the S-400 transaction remains a major obstacle in the bilateral relationship and at NATO, as well as a risk for potential CAATSA sanctions,” the spokesperson said. “We are confident that President Erdoğan and his senior officials understand our position.”

The Turkish newspaper Yeni Akit reported that the Turkish military is set to test the S-400 systems along the Black Sea coast. At least one S-400 has been recorded in transit near Sinop.

Geolocation of a convoy with #Turkish S400 elements from a short amateur video (two screenshots) recorded in Sinop, 1.9 Km away from missile range. pic.twitter.com/5KtmEqj9W5

— AegeanHawk (@AegeanHawk) October 7, 2020

The U.S. concerns mere came days after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg visited Turkey, who he called on to search for an alternative to the S-400 system.

Stoltenberg added during his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu that it is not possible to integrate the S-400 system into NATO system.

Çavuşoğlu justified Turkey’s purchase of the Russian system because Turkey was not able to obtain the Patriot air-defense system from the U.S. and resorted to purchasing the S-400.

Çavuşoğlu did not mention, however, that the U.S. offered to sell Turkey the Patriot system if Ankara did not activate the S-400 systems it purchased from Russia.

Amid the tensions between Ankara and Washington, the Turkish Lira, already depreciating under poor management, sank to new lows against the U.S. Dollar.

The lira dropped to as low as 7.8685 per dollar during trading on Wednesday, down nearly 25% this year alone.