ANKARA, January 14. /TASS/. Turkey continues talks with Russia on the potential supply of a second regiment of S-400 missile defense systems, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Thursday.
"It would be problematic for Ankara to refuse the purchase of Russian air defense systems S-400. We expect that the differences with the USA on this matter will be resolved through dialogue," A Haber TV channel quotes the minister as saying. "Turkey continues to hold talks with Russia on acquiring a second regiment of S-400."
Akar also noted that there will be no specific dislocation for the S-400 systems in Turkey. The systems may be relocated if needed, he added.
On January 11, head of Turkey's Presidency of Defense Industries Ismail Demir said that the S-400 missile defense systems are ready to be commissioned in Turkey.
Russia and Turkey signed a deal on the delivery of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to Ankara in 2017. Turkey was the first NATO state to purchase those systems from Russia. Turkey’s decision to acquire the Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile systems caused a sharply negative reaction from the United States and NATO as a whole. The United States is not abandoning its attempts to make Turkey give up the Russian air defense systems. In October 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara was not going to give up the S-400 systems despite the US pressure. He also rejected the threats of sanctions and suggested the United States should finally stop threatening Turkey and try to impose them in reality.