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Turkey sticks to its guns on Russian missile-defense deal

Despite the efforts of NATO heavy-hitter Jens Stoltenberg, Turkey seems to be moving closer to Russia and its S-400 air-defense system.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu attend a news conference in Ankara, Turkey April 16, 2018. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC1373DFDF70
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu attend a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, April 16, 2018. — REUTERS/Umit Bektas

A small-scale tremor shook relations between NATO and its increasingly rogue member Turkey on May 3 when a Cyprus delegation was included on a ceremonial guest list. The incident provides a glimpse into the challenging future awaiting Turkey's ties with the alliance once Russia delivers its controversial S-400 missile-defense systems.

The fuss arose around a May 3 ceremony for US Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters, who was assuming his position as NATO’s new supreme allied commander for Europe. The event was held at NATO's military headquarters in Belgium.

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