Turkey chafes at US pressure over Russian defenses

Turkey said on Tuesday a US House of Representatives' resolution condemning Ankara's purchase of Russian defense systems and urging potential sanctions was unacceptably threatening.
Relations between the two NATO members have been strained on several fronts including Ankara's plans to buy Russia's S-400 air defence systems, the detention of US consular staff in Turkey, and conflicting strategy over Syria and Iran.
The standoff threatens to bring US sanctions, which would hurt Turkey's already recession-hit economy, and raise questions over its role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The resolution, introduced in May and entitled "Expressing concern for the United States-Turkey alliance," was agreed in the House on Monday.
It urges Turkey to cancel the S-400 purchase and calls for sanctions if it accepts their delivery, which may come as soon as July....

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