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'Very negative' consequences for Turkey If S-400 Deal takes place - State Dept

23 May 2019 07:11 (UTC +04:00)

Turkey will face very tangible and damaging consequences if Ankara finalizes the purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile defence systems, US Department of State spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement, ONA reports quoting sputniknews.

"The Secretary’s spoken to it, and we have said that the S-400 defence system, the acquisition of that would have serious consequences for the United States and NATO’s defence relationship with Turkey", Ortagus said. "We’re clearly willing to engage with them and have continued to engage 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 rejected calls for cancelling S-400 shipments, saying it is a done deal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to the US ultimatum to Ankara on Wednesday by calling it unacceptable.

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