Turkish MP calls on government to cancel S-400 deal

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - A prominent lawmaker from Turkey's opposition People's Democratic Party (HDP) called on the government Wednesday to cancel its deal with Russia for purchasing its S-400 missile defense system.

"While our economy is so fragile and the exchange rate with the U.S. dollar is more than six lira, purchasing the S-400 missile system will pour fuel on fire," Garo Paylan told reporters at parliament.

"We should immediately give up on purchasing the S-400 missiles. The agreement should be cancelled," Paylan said.

He also claimed the S-400 deal drew Turkey closer to Russia "while removing the country from the democratic Western bloc".

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