A Turkish defense official sanctioned by the United States said bilateral relations will not be affected despite the Trump administration’s decision to finally punish Turkey for its purchase of a Russian air defense system.
Ismail Demir, the head of Turkey’s military procurement agency, emphasized that Turkey and the US are NATO allies who will continue working together. He also argued that the sanctions could serve as a “warning” for Turkey’s local defense industries to continue and speed up their work.
“This is an exclusive event that should remain alone, I think, we expect this to not affect relations much,” Demir told journalists Tuesday, The Associated Press reported.
Monday’s sanctions are part of a US law called CAATSA, which are aimed at pushing back on Russian influence. They target Turkey’s Presidency of Defense Industries, Demir and three other senior officials.
The penalties block any assets the four officials may have in US jurisdictions and bar their entry into the US. They also include a ban on most export licenses, loans and credits to the agency.
The move is the first time that CAATSA has been used to penalize a US ally.
Ankara has angered Washington by buying and testing the S-400 missile defense system. It has insisted that it was not offered the US Patriot systems and was forced to buy the Russian system instead for its national security.
The US has kicked Turkey out of its F-35 stealth jet program, saying their use alongside the Russian technology would jeopardize the safety of the fighters jets. Washington also says the Russian system would not be interoperable with NATO systems.
Demir tweeted on Monday, soon after the US sanctions announcement, that any decision abroad against him or the Presidency of Defense Industries would not change his position.
“Nothing will be able to stop the Turkish defense industry,” he said.
Demir’s comments follow condemnations from Turkey’s foreign ministry and other top officials. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking ahead of the sanctions, said he was saddened by an increase in “sanctions discourse” from both the US and Europe.
Erdogan said he expects support from its NATO ally against terror organizations, rather than sanctions.
Fahrettin Altun, Turkey’s communications director, called the sanctions “unreasonable, fruitless and ultimately incompatible with the spirit of our partnership.”
He tweeted that Turkish-American relations were more important and said he hopes the US will reverse its decision.
