Deliveries of Russian-made S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems are an internal matter of the Turkish Republic, RIA Novosti reports with reference to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“The agreement on the acquisition by Ankara of Russian S-400 air defense systems is an important step in terms of developing cooperation between Turkey and Russia. Russian complexes are a very important offensive defense system. Deliveries are an internal affair of Turkey. This is our decision. We made this decision, we agreed with Russia. From the point of view of NATO, this step does not bring any negative,” Erdogan said at a meeting with Turkish youth in the city of Trabzon.

Erdogan believes that each country - a member of the NATO alliance has the right to purchase weapons in any country.

Earlier, Turkey responded to US criticism over the purchase of Russian S-400s.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar recalled that Turkey had applied to NATO countries for the supply of air defense systems, but was refused.

bbabo.Net