Türkiye criticizes the US for acting "like in a cowboy movie."

Russia's S-400 missile defense system. Photo: RIA/Reuters

On August 28, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu affirmed that Türkiye remains committed to purchasing two batches of Russia's S-400 surface-to-air missile defense systems, with the first batch expected to be delivered next year.

Calling the purchase of these goods "a necessary undertaking," Cavusoglu pointed out that Türkiye had previously sought to purchase US-made Patriot missile systems, but the US had given no guarantee that the deal would be approved by lawmakers.

“We have to protect our airspace. This is what we have to do. They should understand that. Can the US guarantee the sale of Patriot missiles to us?” a senior Turkish diplomat said at a press conference in Lithuania.

In retaliation for Ankara's refusal to grant the US exclusive rights to supply military equipment, Washington halted deliveries of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Türkiye, hoping to use this as leverage to force the country to withdraw from the S-400 purchase contract.

This pressure tactic angered Ankara, further exacerbating tensions between the two NATO allies. Turkish-American relations had already deteriorated over the fate of Father Andrew Brunson, who was accused of terrorism and espionage in Turkey following a crackdown on a failed military coup attempt in 2016. Ankara has steadfastly refused to extradite the priest, who faces a potential 35-year sentence, to Washington.

Cavusoglu reminded Washington that Türkiye itself supplies some key components for the F-35 aircraft, and urged the US to abandon its “threatening tone.”

He warned that Türkiye would not hesitate to retaliate if Washington continued to threaten to force Ankara to comply.

"If they say they can do whatever they want, like in cowboy movies, then they'll get a response," he said.

Cavusoglu downplayed the political implications of the $2.5 billion deal with Moscow, asserting that the defense contract did not mean Türkiye prioritized relations with Russia over any other country, including the United States.

"Türkiye can perfectly balance its foreign policy in the region," he emphasized.

Türkiye and the US often engage in verbal sparring over the upcoming S-400 transfer and the potential consequences Ankara could face if it does not cancel the agreement.

Earlier on August 28, US Defense Secretary James Mattis affirmed that Washington did not "recommend" this purchase. While acknowledging that Türkiye had the right to decide whether to purchase the complexes from Russia, he still argued that they could not be integrated with NATO's existing infrastructure.

On August 27, Turkish media reported that a US congressional delegation led by Michael Turner had arrived in Türkiye in an effort to persuade the country to abandon the S-400 deal in exchange for the delivery of F-35 aircraft.