Russia: US Decision to Bar Turkey from F-35 Program Is Punishment for Sovereign Moves

By Staff, Agencies

Washington previously stated that the Pentagon was working to unwind its ties to Turkey in the international F-35 program following the country's move to acquire Russian S-400 air defense systems.

The move by the United States to exclude Turkey from the F-35 program is consistent with the US policy of punishing nations for acting as sovereign entities, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko.

The White House stated earlier this week that Turkey's decision to purchase Russian S-400 air defense systems had rendered its continued involvement with the F-35 impossible.

President Trump has, meanwhile, given contradictory statements regarding the US intention to punish Ankara over purchasing Russian-made systems, failing to provide clear-cut answers to whether the US administration intends to punish Ankara over the acquisition or not.