US State Dept. Says Turkey To Face 'Very Negative' Consequences If S-400 Sale Takes Place

WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 23rd May, 2019) Turkey will face very tangible and damaging consequences if Ankara finalizes the purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile defense systems, US Department of State spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.

"The Secretary's spoken to it, and we have said that the S-400 defense system, the acquisition of that would have serious consequences for the United States and NATO's defense relationship with Turkey," Ortagus said. "We're clearly willing to engage with them and have continued to engage about our - regarding our concerns on this acquisition, but there will be very real and very negative consequences if that happens."

NBC news reported earlier in the day that Turkey has until June to abandon the deal with Russia or Ankara will face US sanctions for importing Russian military technology.

Turkey has repeatedly denied calls to cancel S-400 shipments, saying it is a done deal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to the US ultimatum for Ankara on Wednesday by calling it unacceptable.

In December 2017, Moscow and Ankara signed a loan agreement for the delivery of S-400 air defense systems to Turkey. Since then, the United States and NATO have criticized Turkey's move, citing security concerns and incompatibility of the Russian with NATO air defense systems.

The United States has threatened Turkey with sanctions earlier for its planned acquisition of S-400s and repeatedly said it may delay or cancel the process of selling the F-35 aircraft to Ankara. Turkey is one of the seven states who participate in the F-35 program.

Ankara has said that the purchase of defensive weapons is its sovereign affair and has ruled out the possibility of abandoning its plans to complete the purchase.