Turkey proposes working group to US over disputed S-400 purchase

Turkey has proposed to the United States that they form a working group to ensure that the planned purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system does not pose a threat to US or NATO equipment, according to a statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, as reported by Patria.

Recall, the United States halted the delivery of equipment for the F-35 fighter jet to Turkey after learning that Turkey planned to purchase the S-400 system from Russia, which is not compatible with NATO systems.

Washington warned Turkey that such a purchase could lead to sanctions and Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 program, writes Reuters. Acting US Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan later stated that he expects a resolution to this dispute.

Minister Cavusoglu, who is currently at the NATO summit in Washington, explained during a panel discussion that the S-400 'is not intended to be integrated into the NATO system' because it will be used 'for its own purposes,' and called for the formation of a technical group that will confirm that the system will not pose a threat 'to either the US F-35 or NATO systems.'

Turkish representatives explained that the S-400, whose delivery they expect as early as July, will be used for the purpose of defending against potential attacks on national security, which Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed on several occasions, emphasizing that he will not cancel 'a completed deal,' Reuters reports.