During a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar, U.S Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has urged Turkey not to retain the Russian S-400 missile defense system, the Pentagon said.
The defense chiefs of Turkey and the US discussed regional security and bilateral defense cooperation.
Following the phone call, U.S. Department of Defense issued a readout saying Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had told his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar “not to retain the Russian S-400 missile defense system.”
The Turkish Defense Ministry also released a statement with regards to the phone talk, but did not mention the S-400 issue.
The two defense chiefs “exchanged views regarding regional security and bilateral defense cooperation” and “re-affirmed commitment to closer cooperation and coordination while strengthening military-to-military relations,” the Turkish Defense Ministry’s statement said.
Besides, Akar congratulated Austin for being appointed head of Pentagon.
Relations between Washington and Ankara deteriorated after Turkey bought Russian S-400 missile systems. Despite the US tough response over the deal, Turkey has not backed down.
