Skip to main content

Trump blames Obama for Turkey’s purchase of Russian weapons

The US president said his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been treated unfairly over his decision to buy Russian-made missiles that may jeopardize NATO security. But he stopped short of saying they have a deal to spare Turkey economic sanctions once it acquires the antiaircraft system.
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands during a bilateral meeting with Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan during the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC1A03B4EBE0

ISTANBUL — US President Donald Trump on Saturday blamed his predecessor, Barack Obama, for Turkey’s decision to buy advanced Russian missiles that his administration has warned could endanger NATO security and pledged to find a way out of the dispute that has rattled the countries’ decades-old alliance. 

Yet Trump stopped short of announcing a breakthrough with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with just weeks to go before Turkey takes delivery of the Russian-made S-400 Triumph. That acquisition will put Turkey at risk of US economic sanctions and expulsion from the Pentagon’s F-35 fighter jet program. Turkey says it needs the Russian weapons, widely considered the most advanced antiaircraft system available, because Washington has refused to transfer technology with its own offer of American missiles.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.