Turkey refusing to sign NATO defense plan for the Baltics, pressing alliance to label Syria’s Kurds as ‘terrorists’ – report

Ankara has reportedly been blackmailing NATO, refusing to sign the proposed defense plan for the Baltics and Poland unless the alliance officially recognizes Kurdish-led militia in northern Syria as a “terrorist group.” … Read More >Turkey refusing to sign NATO defense plan for the Baltics, pressing alliance to label Syria’s Kurds as ‘terrorists’ – report

‘Erdogan thumbs his nose at Trump’: US senator says Turkey crossed ‘another red line’ with S-400 test, calls for new sanctions

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is mocking the US and has crossed a new “red line” as Ankara decided to start testing its S-400 air defense systems, a US senator said, calling for new sanctions against Turkey. … Read More >‘Erdogan thumbs his nose at Trump’: US senator says Turkey crossed ‘another red line’ with S-400 test, calls for new sanctions

‘Stand-alone mode’: Russian-made S-400s to operate independently from NATO air defense – Turkish minister

The S-400 air defense missile systems, purchased from Russia, will remain separate from the NATO military network and not cause any problems with its work, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said. … Read More >‘Stand-alone mode’: Russian-made S-400s to operate independently from NATO air defense – Turkish minister

‘Destroy, return, get rid of S-400’? Nope, Turkey says we’ll activate Russian missiles instead

Washington officials are reportedly demanding that Turkey “destroy or return” its Russian-made S-400 air defense systems to get back in the good books and rejoin the F-35 fighter program – but Ankara has no intention of complying. … Read More >‘Destroy, return, get rid of S-400’? Nope, Turkey says we’ll activate Russian missiles instead

Turkey to look for F-35 alternative if kept out by US, dropping Russia’s S400 not an option – Erdogan to Trump

If Washington keeps siding out Ankara with the F-35 project, it will look out for similar-class jets, Turkish President warned the US counterpart, adding his country won’t give up the Russian-made S-400 air defense systems. … Read More >Turkey to look for F-35 alternative if kept out by US, dropping Russia’s S400 not an option – Erdogan to Trump

Turkish President Erdogan says he ‘can’t harm relations with Russia’ by ditching S-400 on Trump’s demand

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has asserted that he won’t yield to US President Donald Trump’s demand to stop the purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system. The deal is too important to Ankara’s friendship with Moscow. … Read More >Turkish President Erdogan says he ‘can’t harm relations with Russia’ by ditching S-400 on Trump’s demand