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Turkish President Erdogan says he 'can't harm relations with Russia' by ditching S-400 on Trump's demand
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made it clear he would not abandon the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems at US President Donald Trump's request. The deal is too important for Ankara's friendship with Moscow.
Despite the protestations of Washington, Turkey, a NATO member, took delivery of its first shipment of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system in July. After a meeting with Erdogan on Wednesday, Trump told reporters that Ankara’s “acquisition of the S-400 creates some very serious challenges for us,” yet no agreement was reached on limiting or cancelling the purchase.
Erdogan said on Thursday that Trump had attempted to convince him to walk away from the deal with Moscow, but he refused. Trump’s proposal was “an infringement on our sovereign rights,” Turkish broadcaster NTV quoted Erdogan.
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