Government, opposition denounce S-400 sanctions by US

Turkey received the first batch of the S-400s last July. (Photo: AA/File)

Senior government officials and opposition politicians have denounced the US decision to impose sanctions on Turkey because of its purchase of the S-400 air defense systems from Russia.

Washington yesterday (December 14) sanctioned Turkey's Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), its chairperson and three other individuals following the enactment of a law mandating the US president to sanction Turkey as per the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Turkey agreed with Russia to buy the misile ssystem in April 2017 and received the first batch of the equipment last July. It tested the missiles for the first time in October.

Here are the reactions to the sanctions:

Defense minister: Sanctions shook the alliance

Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar told the state-run Anadolu Agency that the sanctions "deeply shook" the alliance values between the two countries, said the country's defense minister on Tuesday, denouncing the move.

"We condemn this decision, which does not comply with alliance, current military, or political realities," said Akar. "This sanction decision has shaken all values of alliance between our countries."

Highlighting the air and missile threats that Turkey faces, he said the country is taking all measures to protect itself and its people.

"Obviously, sanctions on a NATO member country will not only undermine the spirit of alliance, but will deeply undermine trust among allies," he said.

Akar said Turkey will continue its determined efforts to ensure the country's security and urged Washington to return to cooperating with Ankara.

"Returning to cooperation and solidarity with the US, which has been our ally since the Korean War, on regional and global defense and security issues within the framework of the current military and political situation will also contribute to regional and global peace and security," he concluded.

SSB head: Relationships won't be affected too much

Despite new US sanctions, Turkey's defense industry will continue to move forward, said SSB Chair İsmail Demir.

"The development of the domestic industry will continue, perhaps even faster. In a sense, this [sanctions] will serve as a flare and a warning," Demir told reporters after speaking to parliament. "We expect this not to affect our relationships too much."

He added that both sides aim to continue these relations.

Analysts: Turkey must find alternatives

Arda Mevlütoğlu, a defense policy analyst, said under the sanctions, the SSB is prohibited from getting US export licenses, which means Turkey must find alternatives for some projects.

The sanctions also block some avenues of financing for the SSB, he said, adding that countries and firms which have close ties with the US could avoid dealing with the SSB.

The US sanctions may affect the country's defense industry and exports negatively in the short-term, but the country's defense sector will gain strength in the medium-term, he underlined.

Turan Oguz, a defense analyst, said Turkey was the first NATO member country to face US sanctions under the CAATSA law.

Starting on January 20, the incoming Joe Biden administration may also bring changes in policy – positive or negative – and the US sanctions could also trigger sanctions from the EU, he added.

He underlined that the sanctions should not affect existing projects, such as the T70 helicopter, but the Pakistan Atak helicopter and Hurjet aircraft projects will probably be affected, he said.

The sanctions will slow down Turkish defense projects related to the US for a short period, but the Turkish defense industry will take advantage of this process and manage to take over production of all critical parts in the long term, he stressed.

Joint statement by parties

In a joint declaration today, four of the five political parties that have a parliamentary group urged the US to revoke its decision to impose sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system.

"We reject the US sanctions decision that was announced on December 14, 2020. Turkey never hesitates to take any step necessary to protect its national security," read the declaration.

Turkey is not the country that will take any step back on this issue against threats and sanctions, the declaration noted, adding: "This false step taken by the US does not abide by the spirit of alliance."

It also said the sanctions will also not benefit the two countries' relations, "which should be promoted on the basis of mutual respect."

The US attitude did also not abide by the NATO alliance, the declaration said.

"For this reason, we call on the US to turn from this grave mistake as soon as possible," it said.

The declaration was issued by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), its ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), and its ally Good (IYI) Party. The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) did not sign the declaration.

Vice president: Sanctions will boost our determination

Criticizing the move, Vice President Fuat Oktay said the sanctions will only boost the country's determination to strengthen its national interests and defense industry under the leadership of President and AKP Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

"No country's sanctions will sway Turkey's determined stance. We condemn this decision and call on the US to step back from this mistake as soon as possible," Oktay said on Twitter.

Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop said the sanctions ill fit the spirit of alliance. "We will continue to take every step with determination necessary for the defense of our country," he said on Twitter.

Presidential spokesperson: Our stance won't change

Presidential spokesperson İbrahim Kalin also stressed Turkey's determined stance in the face of sanctions, adding that Turkey will decisively continue to take steps to achieve its defense industry goals.

The deputy chair of the AKP, Numan Kurtulmuş, called for the US to "immediately" reconsider its sanctions decision, adding that the move will not stand in the way of the country's defense industry goals.

"On the eve of new Turkey-US relations, the US declaration of unilateral sanctions against our country is extremely irrational and desperate for the future of our relations," Kurtulmuş said on Twitter. (VK)