Tensions between Turkey and the United States have reached a fever pitch in recent months over Ankara’s decision to go ahead with the purchase of Russia-built air defence systems, which Washington claims will jeopardise its NATO ally’s role in the F-35 fighter jet programme and could prompt sanctions.
Ankara has not received an ultimatum from Washington over the S-400 deal, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said in an interview with the Turkish channel Haberturk.
The Pentagon and State Department have yet to comment on the claims. Turkish pilots are currently training at Like Air Force Base in Arizona, even though the Pentagon has already halted deliveries of F-35 equipment to Turkey.
The Turkish side has also stressed that the S-400s were not connected to the security of the alliance, the US or the F-35 in any way, and the decision to acquire them “does not target a third country”.