US sanctions Turkey over Russian missile defense

WASHINGTON－The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on its NATO ally Turkey over its purchase of a Russian air defense system, in a striking move against a longtime partner that sets the stage for further confrontation between the two nations.

The extraordinary step against a treaty ally came at a delicate time in relations between Washington and Ankara, which have been at odds for years over Turkey's acquisition from Russia of the S-400 missile defense system, along with Turkish actions in Syria, the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and in the eastern Mediterranean.

The sanctions, which were required under a 2017 US law aimed at pushing back on Russia if the administration of US President Donald Trump deemed there was significant cause, add another element of uncertainty to the relationship as Trump winds down his term. The move is the first time that law, known as CAATSA, has been used to penalize a US ally.

Prior to Monday, the US had kicked Turkey out of its F-35 stealth fighter development and training program over the S-400 purchase, but had taken no further steps despite persistent warnings from US officials who have long complained about that the system is incompatible with NATO equipment and a potential threat to allied security.

Ankara vows retaliation

Turkey's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it "condemns and rejects" the US sanctions, saying Washington's one-sided sanctions were beyond understanding.

"Turkey will take the necessary steps against this decision, which will inevitably affect our relations in a negative way, and reciprocate in a way and time it sees fit," the statement said.

The statement repeated Turkey's claim that the S-400 system would not affect NATO systems.

The ministry called on the US to "turn back as soon as possible from this bad mistake", adding that Ankara was ready for dialogue and diplomacy.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the sanctions were evidence of US "arrogance" and would hurt US standing internationally.

"It's yet more evidence of the arrogant attitude (of the US) toward international law, and a manifestation of the illegitimate, unilateral and coercive measures that the US has practiced for many decades now all over the world," he said on a visit to Bosnia.

"Of course, I do not think this does any favors to the United States' international reputation as a responsible participant in international negotiations, including in military-technical cooperation," he said.

Turkey tested the missile defense system in October for the first time, drawing a condemnation from the Pentagon.

Agencies - Xinhua