Kremlin Says Stands By Ankara's Statements Amid Reports About S-400 Deal's Collapse

Kremlin Says Stands by Ankara's Statements Amid Reports About S-400 Deal's Collapse

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, commenting on media reports about the potential collapse of the Russia-Turkey S-400 deal, that Moscow stands by Ankara's previous statements that labeled the agreement a done deal

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 22nd May, 2019) Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, commenting on media reports about the potential collapse of the Russia-Turkey S-400 deal, that Moscow stands by Ankara's previous statements that labeled the agreement a done deal.

The CNBC broadcaster reported on Tuesday, citing sources, that the United States had given Turkey two weeks to cancel its deal with Russia to purchase the S-400 air defense systems. Washington threatened to otherwise remove Ankara from Lockheed Martin's F-35 program.

"We stand by the numerous statements made by the representatives of the Turkish leadership headed by President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan that the deal on S-400s is already struck, in effect ... the deal is being implemented," Peskov told reporters.

In December 2017, Moscow and Ankara signed a loan agreement for the delivery of S-400 systems. The first shipments to Turkey are expected in June. Turkish cooperation with Russia in this area has been strongly criticized by NATO and the United States, which has cited security concerns and the incompatibility of S-400s with NATO's air defense systems.

Washington has threatened Ankara with sanctions for its planned acquisition of S-400s and repeatedly said it may delay or cancel its sale of F-35 aircraft to Turkey. Ankara, in turn, has said that purchasing military equipment is its sovereign right and has ruled out the possibility of abandoning the plans.