Pompeo wavers on sanctions red line after Turkey tests Russian missile system

Turkey started testing the S-400 missile system this week, but the Donald Trump administration is still hesitant to implement legally mandated sanctions on Ankara.
A view shows a new S-400 "Triumph" surface-to-air missile system after its deployment at a military base outside the town of Gvardeysk near Kaliningrad, Russia March 11, 2019. Picture taken March 11, 2019. REUTERS/Vitaly Nevar - RC11938EDE40
A view shows a new S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile system after its deployment at a military base outside the town of Gvardeysk near Kaliningrad, Russia, March 11, 2019. Picture taken March 11, 2019. - REUTERS/Vitaly Neva
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Bryant Harris
@brykharris_ALM

The Donald Trump administration is wavering on its previously stated red line to implement legally mandated sanctions on Turkey after Ankara tested a Russian missile defense system.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had previously warned Turkey that activating the S-400 missile system and making it “operational” would result in US sanctions. But after Ankara activated the system’s powerful radar system for tests this week, Pompeo appeared to move the goalposts further back amid Trump’s reluctance to sanction the NATO ally.

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