Rejecting the suggestions that Türkiye’s purchase of the S-400s from Russia undermined NATO alliance, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said “Had the Americans sold Türkiye a Patriot missile defence system, we would not have had to buy S-400s.”
The American New York Times (NYT) published the S-400s section of the interview it had with President Erdoğan who was in New York for the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
According to the section in the news published on President Erdoğan’s bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, President Erdoğan rejected the suggestions that Türkiye’s purchase of advanced Russian defence system undermined NATO, the West’s main military alliance.
According to the news, President Erdoğan said in his statement to the NYT editorial board, "We buy our own weapons", referring to both NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and then-President Donald J. Trump reaffirming Türkiye's right to choose arms suppliers.
President Erdoğan further stated, "Had the Americans sold Türkiye a Patriot missile defence system, we would not have had to buy S-400s."
When asked if Türkiye’s actions had been worth the frictions caused with the United States, President Erdoğan responded, "I think it was worth it. We can strengthen our defence as we please."
Pointing out that the Turkish-US relationship remained fundamentally important, President Erdoğan remarked, "Türkiye has long US ties. This will be reinforced and has to be protected.”