6:12 a.m. ET, June 29, 2019
Russia's S-400 missile defense system will be delivered to Turkey in July, Erdogan says
From CNN’s Isil Sariyuce in Istanbul
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he expected a Russian-made S-400 missile defense system to be delivered on time.
“Delivery of the system to Turkey is proceeding as planned, and there has been no setback in the deal with Moscow,” Erdogan told reporters at the G20 summit.
He added that he was expecting it to be delivered during the first half of July.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaking at a news conference following the G20.
CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/Getty Images
Erdogan explained that Ankara had decided to purchase the Russian S-400s in 2017 after efforts to purchase an air defense system from the US failed. Joint production of the missiles and its technology transfer are a priority for Turkey, he added.
As for possible sanctions from the US, Erdogan said President Trump had pledged "no such thing will happen."
When asked if Trump had given him 100% assurance that sanctions will not happen, Erdogan said: "For now it does not look like that. It is out of question between two strategic partners. I think it should not happen."
American officials had urged Turkey to buy US Patriot missiles, arguing the Russian system would be incompatible with NATO systems and expose U.S. F-35 fighter jets to possible Russian subterfuge.
Turkey, however, emphasized that the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO systems and would not pose a threat to the alliance.