NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg on Monday said the lack of a solution in the crisis between the US and Turkey regarding Ankara’s purchase of a Russian air defense missile system was not good for the two allies or the treaty organization.
Speaking to Turkish NTV, Stoltenberg said he conveyed to Turkish officials that different systems within NATO could not work together, adding that it was good to see that Ankara and Washington were in talks for Patriot missiles.
The United States offered to sell Turkey Patriots in place of the Russian S-400s, in addition to threatening to suspend the delivery of the F-35 fighter jets that Ankara has purchased.
However, Turkish officials reiterated that the purchase of the S-400s was a done deal. According to Turkey’s defense minister, the system will be start to be installed in July.
“We support both countries for a solution,” Stoltenberg said, adding that he understood that Turkey’s position was clear in the matter.