Turkey: No delay in delivery of Russian S-400 system

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey on Thursday denied making a statement announcing a delay in the delivery of Russian S-400 air defense systems, an issue which has sparked tensions with the U.S.

"We have not made a statement regarding the delay of S-400s to Turkey," Mevlut Cavusoglu said after a meeting at the presidential complex in capital Ankara.

The top diplomat said some countries including the U.S. demanded that Turkey should not procure S-400s, arguing they are incompatible with NATO systems and a threat to the F-35 fifth-generation stealth aircraft.

He added that he will speak with his U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo over the phone on Saturday.

Tensions between the U.S. and Turkey have reached a fever pitch in recent months with Turkey set to begin receiving the advanced S-400 Russian surface-to-air missile system.

Washington maintains the move will jeopardize Turkey's role in the F-35 fighter jet program and could trigger congressional sanctions.

Turkey decided in 2017 to purchase the S-400 system following protracted efforts to purchase air defense systems from the U.S. with no success.