USA: Turkey to face 'real and negative' repercussions if it acquires S-400 system

Turkey will face "very real and negative repercussions" if it goes ahead with the acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system, the U.S. State Department said on Friday, when asked whether "anyone in the U.S. government had given the slightest indication to Turkey" of an intervention to avert the prospect of U.S. sanctions on Ankara.

The question put by the website Hellas Journal referred to a statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Turkey would avoid sanctions due to his personal excellent relations with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The State Department made clear that Turkey will face consequences, including the suspension of its participation in the F-35 programme and sanctions in the framework of laws for fighting America's opponents (CAATSA).

The spokesperson also expressed Washington's concerns on the broader repercussions that the acquisition of the S-400 system will have on Turkey's cooperation with the U.S. and NATO, while noting that Washington remained willing to participate in further discussions with Turkey's government regarding its concerns over the S-400 purchase.