Leonid Slutsky: “Purchase of S-400 by Turkey from Russia meets the interests of security in the region”


Leonid Slutsky, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, believes that the discussion at the NATO conference on the procurement by Turkey of Russia S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia ended in favor of Ankara.

“Now at the conference of NATO countries the discussion ended with a margin in favor of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt авavuşoлуlu, who laid siege to US Vice President Michael Pens and told him very clearly that Turkey is a sovereign country and itself knows which air defense systems are best for it <...> The purchase of S-400 by Ankara [from Russia] is in the interests of security in the region. This is the main thing, “Slutsky said on the 60-minute program on Russia-1 TV channel.

Speaking at a conference in Washington on Wednesday, timed to coincide with a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers, US Vice President Michael Pence said that Turkey would have to choose between partnership with the alliance and purchasing C-400 from Russia.

For his part, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt авavushoglu assured that his country considers the issue of Ankara’s intention to purchase S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems from Moscow as final.

According to Slutsky, “it’s deadly for NATO that Turkey, a member country of the alliance occupying an important geographical position, become Russia’s partner in the military field.” “Therefore, Pens has no other arguments. He is simply scared and under pressure with authority. But this does not work for Ankara,” the head of the committee said.

Slutsky added that Russia and Turkey became allies in many issues. “This is a very difficult partnership, but it is strategic and professional,” the politician concluded.

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