US says ‘consequences’ for Turkey over S-400 purchase very serious, real

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — If Turkey proceeds with its purchase of Russian S-400 defense system, it will face negative repercussions at the hands of the United States.

“Turkey will face very real and very negative consequences if it completes the delivery of the S-400. This includes suspension of procurement and industrial participation in the F-35 program, and also, because of CAATSA, exposure to sanctions,” Morgan Ortagus Department of State spokesperson said during a press briefing late on Wednesday, referring to the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

She added: “These are very serious, these are very real, and I think our position remains quite consistent on that.”

US President Donald Trump and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone on Wednesday, discussing Ankara’s decision to purchase the S-400 missile system from Russia. 

“The two leaders discussed a number of bilateral issues, including their shared desire to increase trade, the president’s decision to reduce steel tariffs on Turkey from 50-25 percent, Turkey’s planned purchase of the S-400 missile defense system, and the opportunity to continue the discussion during the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, next month,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a Reuters-reported statement.

There has been speculation in Turkish media that they could meet before G20 Summit from 28-29 June, but there have been no formal announcements.

Turkey’s Director of Presidential Communications Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter that Erdogan had told Trump the US decision to halve tariffs on Turkish steel will “contribute to the realization of trade volume target between both countries which is $75 billion.”

The current trade volume between both countries was about $24 billion in 2017.

Turkey has proposed the establishment of a working group to lessen US concerns over its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. 

The establishment of the group was “reiterated” by Erdogan during the phone call, according to Altun. 

The United States is concerned about Turkey using the Russian systems, which it deems incompatible with the NATO system. Washington has suggested that Ankara instead purchase its Patriot air defense system.

Turkey was the seventh country to join the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program in 2002 as a Level 3 partner, investing more than $200 million to purchase some of the F-35 jets. Some Turkish pilots are in receiving training on fifth generation fighter jet in the United States.

Two sources familiar with Turkish role in the F-35 program told Reuters on Wednesday that the United States is still considering halting the training due to the Turkish deal with Russia.

Also on Wednesday, the US State Department announced that Turkey was releasing NASA employee Serkan Golge who had been sentenced to more than seven years in prison in 2018 and held for more than two years.

"We welcome the news that Serkan Golge has been released from prison today," State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told reporters. 

Golge, 39, was alleged by Turkish prosecutors of being a member follower of Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic preacher living exile in Pennsylvania. Turkey blames his followers for the failed 2016 military coup.

"We will continue to follow Mr. Golge's case closely along with those involving our own locally employed staff" in Turkey, she said, adding that many US consulate employees and US nationals remain held in Turkey on terror-related charges.

Golge is a dual Turkish-US citizen. He was arrested while visiting family in Hatay province in the post-coup crackdown. Science Magazine reported on Thursday that he had spoken to his wife by telephone, but was not free to leave Turkey due to travel restrictions.