O n October 5, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg paid an official visit to Ankara. Based on the report, Erdogan and Stoltenberg discussed regional issues, particularly on the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Syria and Libya [1]. They also discussed the issue of deploying S-400 anti-aircraft systems in Turkey.

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg met with Turkey’s Foreign Minister M. Cavusoglu in Ankara and stated that he expects Turkey to use its influence in order to reduce tension in the region. At the same time, he called on the sides to immediately cease the hostilities and find ways of resolving the conflict peacefully.

It’s noteworthy, that being inspired by that statement, Aliyev noted in the interview with Turkish TRT Haber TV channel, that Turkey should join the negotiations of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs on the settlement of the conflict [2].

Furthermore, the Head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization expressed concern over the S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems previously acquired by Turkey from Russia, noting that currently partners face numerous “difficult issues”. He noted that this system might pose a threat to the Allied aircraft and lead to the US sanctions, thus, alternative ways for the solution of the problem should be found.

It should be noted, that Stoltenberg’s statement wasn’t accidental, because according to the Turkish Minute, in the coming days Turkish Armed Forces may activate the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system acquired from Russia and test it at a training camp near the city Sinop. According to the information, testing is scheduled for October 5-16.

By the way, both before and today, Washington states the incompatibility of Russian-NATO weapons, stressing that in case of the S-400 deployment in Turkey, Moscow may get information on the technical data of the F-35 Lightning II fighter, which were envisaged to be delivered to Ankara.

According to the expert Sergey Yermakov, Russia is enshrined in NATO doctrine as a major adversary and from this viewpoint, it’s quite strange for a member state to buy a Russian armament. This reveals the deep contradictions between Turkey and NATO. He recalls the strategy of Washington and NATO to build a global missile defense system around Russia. According to the expert, after the purchase of the S-400 system, Turkey will be excluded from being part of the US anti-missile defense system [3].

In response, Erdogan stated that if necessary Turkey may close Incirlik air base and Kurecik radar station located on the Malatya Province [4].

It should be stated, that after the purchase of the S-400, the US excluded Turkey’s participation in the program of the fifth generation fighter F-35 as well as from their acquisition.

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[1] Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan, NATO Genel Sekreteri Stoltenberg ile görüştü

[2] https://www.trthaber.com/videolar/azerbaycan

[3] «Серьёзная трещина в отношениях»: почему НАТО продолжает настаивать на отказе Турции от российских С-400

[4] Turkey may close Incirlik, Kurecik bases 'if necessary