ISTANBUL: NATO member Turkey said it was still talking to Russia about procuring a second batch of one of its most advanced missile defense systems despite the war in Ukraine.
The comments on state television late Tuesday by the head of Turkey’s military procurement agency underscore Ankara’s efforts to maintain good relations with Moscow during the conflict.
The agency and its chief, Ismail Demir, were sanctioned by Washington in the closing weeks of US president Donald Trump’s administration for its purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system in 2017.
Turkey took delivery of the first batch of the surface-to-air missiles in 2019.
But Demir told state television that the 2017 contract always envisioned Turkey receiving two batteries of the Russian weapon.
“This was always a single project. We are not talking about creating a second project,” said Demir. “We are continuing to implement the same decision we made from the beginning.”
Turkey’s leading role in trying to mediate an end to the conflict through direct negotiations have helped to improve its relations with Washington in the past few months.
US President Joe Biden’s administration said earlier this month that it now believed that supplying Turkey with F-16 fighter jets — an idea proposed by Erdogan last year — would serve Washington’s strategic interests.
Turkey is looking to modernize its airforce after being kicked out of the F-35 fighter jet program because of its purchase of the Russian missiles.
Demir said Turkey did not take immediate delivery of the second batch of the Russian S-400 because of contractual disputes.
“We could have taken delivery of the second batch right away, but one of the important parameters of the project involved certain technological cooperation and joint production parameters,” he said.
“Since negotiations of these issues took some time, the (delivery) of the system spread over time.”
Turkey says still talking to Russia about missile deliveries
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Turkey says still talking to Russia about missile deliveries
- Turkey says it is talking to Russia about procuring a second batch of one of its most advanced missile defense systems
UK Police arrest 86 people at prison protest for Palestine Action hunger striker
- Demonstration outside Wormwood Scrubs held in support of Umer Khalid
- Khalid 1 of 5 people charged in connection with break-in at RAF base last year
LONDON: A protest outside a prison in the UK in support of a man detained for supporting the banned group Palestine Action has led to the arrest of 86 people.
London’s Metropolitan Police said a group of demonstrators breached the grounds of Wormwood Scrubs prison in the capital, refused to leave when ordered to do so, and threatened officers. They were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.
The group, several of whom attempted to gain access to the prison itself, were protesting in support of Umer Khalid, who is currently on hunger strike at the facility.
Khalid is one of five people charged in relation to a break-in by Palestine Action members at an RAF base at Brize Norton last year, in which two military aircraft were damaged.
Khalid, who denies the charges, is one of several people who are on or who have taken part in hunger strikes in recent months, all of whom have been held on similar charges for over a year without their cases being brought to trial.
A spokesperson for the UK’s Ministry of Justice said: “The escalation of the protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs is completely unacceptable. While we support the right to peacefully protest, reports of trespassing and threats being made to staff and police officers are deeply concerning.
“At no point was prison security compromised. However, where individuals’ actions cause risk or actual harm to hardworking staff, this will not be taken lightly and those responsible can expect to face consequences.
“Prisoners are being managed in line with longstanding policy. This includes regular checks by medical professionals, heart monitoring and blood tests, and support to help them eat and drink again. If deemed appropriate by healthcare teams, prisoners will be taken to hospital.”
