US issues 'ultimatum' to punish Türkiye over Russia's 'huge' S-400 weapon
The US is giving Türkiye until the end of the first week of June to withdraw from a deal to buy Russian S-400 defense systems or face serious consequences, including sanctions, media reports said.
If Türkiye does not withdraw from its deal with Russia and does not buy the US-made Patriot missile defense system by the end of the first week of June, the country will face negative consequences, CNBC news agency said yesterday (May 21), citing sources close to the matter.
Those consequences include removing Türkiye from the F-35 program, seizing 100 F-35s promised to the country and imposing sanctions on Türkiye — all of which could jeopardize Turkey's membership in NATO.
Russia's S-400 system
The US and NATO have warned that Türkiye's cooperation with Russia in transferring the S-400 will affect the security and compatibility between Russian and NATO defense systems.Türkiye says its purchase of defensive weapons is a private matter and has said it will not abandon the sale.
Russia and Türkiye signed a $2.5 billion loan agreement for the delivery of four S-400 launchers in December 2017. The first delivery is expected in July 2019, Turkish officials said.
