Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan maintains Ankara's neutrality in the Ukraine - Russia conflict and continues to procure an advanced Russian missile system despite the controversial nature of the deal.
The west's calls to scrap the S-400 missiles deal were unacceptable because the country believes it has the right to choose who to deal with.
Turkey, an important member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), was sanctioned by the US but still went through with the deal.
Turkey Asserts Right To Purchase Russian Arms
Erdogan is not interested in joining other nations in an arms embargo of Russian arms, and Ankara disagrees with the terms of Western defense firms, reported the Express UK.
He added that it's too early to say if his government will follow the west and not be able to buy for defense.
The Allies and US are spearheading sanctions after Russia rolled into Ukraine due to the increased western expansion.
Further, the Turkish head of state says that dealing with Moscow has not stopped them from giving aid to the Ukrainians, cited the Diverse Bulletin.
Most important was to keep ties with Kyiv and Moscow, not as much as others pressured. Germany sided with Turkey to the dismay of the US.
Last March 14, in a press conference with Erdogan, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated that his counterpart's nation has its discretion and no one decides for them, another fact is the moves are too early to judge. He stresses its too early to say what happens next, and anything could change from here to later. He said that keeping ties to Moscow and Kyiv is more important than ever.
Erdogan then remarked what has been done for Ukraine that other NATO countries have not even with Russia concerned, and they offer support for both.
He added that humanitarian aid was given, with more than 50 trucks of supplies that will continue to be sent there.
Democratic US Congressman Frank Pallone stated that Ankara cannot be trusted and is against the NATO alliance. In a social media post, he slammed Erdogan for dealing with the enemy, a human rights abuser like Putin, and Aliyev shows no NATO values.
He said Turkey should not buy Russian weapons, and they aren't worth the trust. Ankara could argue its an oversimplification of the reality faced.
Calls To Cancel Russian Arms Deal
When Ankara got the Russian-made S-400 missile systems, the west felt threatened due to its danger to the F-35. Next, sanctions followed and criticism with peer nations, noted Defense One.
In December 2020, the US sanctioned Turkey over the S-400 sake, but Erdogan said the west had few options, and Ankara had the right to choose its supplier. But another deal for the advanced missile system was entered, and Washington tried to throw its weight around.
Erdogan is careful to balance the stand of Ankara about the two countries and wants to keep its non-alignment to anyone.
The approach of Turkey is to go in between as it controls a crucial sea border with Russia in the Black Sea, a role as a go-between is crucial in the conflict.
Turkish President Erdogan knows balance is needed, and the advanced Russian missile system for security as planned could make a difference with cooler heads in the negotiator's seat.
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