The position of Turkey on anti -Russian sanctions will not undergo changes. This was stated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The head of state emphasized that Turkey is not going to comply with the requirements of the West regarding the imposition of sanctions against the Russian Federation.
According to him, the joining of Ankara to anti-Russian sanctions is inappropriate, since Russia is the largest trade and economic partner of Turkey.
At the same time, he emphasized that Turkey seeks to maintain its relationship equally with the USA and Western countries, so with the Russian Federation and China.
The head of state also touched the topic of the purchase by Ankara of Russian S-400 air defense systems.
According to him, the United States asked Turkey to refuse to acquire these systems, but the Turkish side rejected this proposal. “We answered them (USA-ed.)“ NO ”, because you did not give us the Patriot air defense system. We took this step in order to strengthen the defense capabilities of our country. If you transferred (Turkey PPRK“ Patriot ”), we would did not resort to this path. But you did not do this. Therefore, we went along this path, ”said the Turkish leader.
He added that Turkey also firmly and consistently defended its position on the issue of modernization of the Turkish F-16 and the transfer of Fifth generation F-35 fighters.