US says ‘possible’ Ankara will reject Russian missiles

The US believes it is “possible” Turkey will decide against buying a Russian air defense system whose proposed purchase has strained relations between the NATO allies, a top official said.

Washington has warned for months that Turkey’s adoption of the Russian S-400 missile system would endanger Western defense and jeopardize Ankara’s planned purchase of 100 of the US’s F-35 stealth fighter jets. Asked on Thursday if Turkey may ultimately change its mind on the S-400, US Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson replied “it’s possible.”

“The diplomats are continuing the work on that,” she said, reiterating that the S-400 is “incompatible with having the F-35.” The US in April placed a freeze on a joint F-35 manufacturing program with Turkey, and US law furthermore provides for sanctions on any country concluding arms deals with Russian companies.