The United States has not moved to create a joint working group to assess its concerns regarding Turkey’s purchase of a Russian S-400 missile defense system, the head of the Undersecretariat for the Defense Industry (SSM) said on Monday, according to Reuters.
Speaking to reporters after an event in Ankara, İsmail Demir said Turkish officials were preparing a response to a letter by acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan that outlined how Turkey would be pulled out the F-35 fighter jet program if it pressed on with the S-400 deal.
The two NATO allies have sparred publicly for months over Turkey’s order for the S-400s, which Washington says poses a threat to the Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighters, which Turkey also plans to buy.
Turkey proposed the joint working group.