Turkish political parties urge US to revoke sanctions over S-400s

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - In a joint declaration on Wednesday, Turkish political parties urged the US to revoke its decision to impose sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system.

"We reject the US sanctions decision that was announced on Dec. 14, 2020. Turkey never hesitates to take any step necessary to protect its national security," read the declaration.

Turkey is not the country that will take any step back on this issue against threats and sanctions, the declaration noted, adding: "This false step taken by the US does not abide by the spirit of alliance."

It also said the sanctions will also not benefit the two countries' relations, "which should be promoted on the basis of mutual respect."

The US attitude did also not abide by the NATO alliance, the declaration said.

"For this reason, we call on the US to turn from this grave mistake as soon as possible," it said.

The declaration was issued by the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and Good (IYI) Party. The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) did not sign the declaration.

Turkey has been a member of the NATO alliance for nearly 70 years.

In April 2017, when its protracted efforts to buy an air defense system from the US proved fruitless, Turkey signed a contract with Russia to acquire the S-400 shield.

US officials have voiced opposition to their deployment, claiming they would be incompatible with NATO systems and would expose F-35 jets to possible Russian subterfuge.

Turkey, however, stressed that the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO systems, and poses no threat to the alliance or its armaments.

Turkey has also repeatedly proposed a working group to examine the technical compatibility issue.