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President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that US sanctions imposed on Turkey over its purchase of Russian defense systems were an attack on Ankara's sovereign rights aimed at deterring its defense industry, a move which he said was bound to fail.

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that US sanctions imposed on Turkey over its purchase of Russian defense systems were an attack on Ankara's sovereign rights aimed at deterring its defense industry, a move which he said was bound to fail.

The NATO chief on Dec. 15 urged allies to find a "positive solution" after the U.S. decided to impose sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense systems.

In a joint declaration on Dec. 15, Turkish political parties urged the U.S. to revoke its decision to impose sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system.

"We reject the U.S. sanctions decision that was announced on Dec. 14, 2020. Turkey never hesitates to take any step necessary to protect its national security," read the declaration.

The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian ground-to-air defenses and targeted the top Turkish defense development body, its president and three employees.

With the European Council last week seen as a milestone of the European Union's indecision to put the brake on Turkish provocations in the Eastern Mediterranean, Athens is drafting its next moves for the coming weeks and months. 

This would effectively force the outgoing US President to impose penalties that have long been prescribed by law, writes the magazine "Foreign Policy".
Capitol Hill has long been pressuring Trump to impose mandatory sanctions on Turkey, after Ankara bought the Russian S-400 anti-missile system in July 2019.

International pressure on Ankara aimed at containing its expansive foreign policy was further intensified this week with the US defense budget bill for 2021, which foresees sanctions against Turkey over its acquisition of Russian S-400 missiles. 

Turkey has played a key role in the fight against terrorism, providing infrastructure and platforms for liberating territories controlled by ISIL, NATO's secretary-general said on Nov. 23. 

Speaking at the 66th Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Jens Stoltenberg made the comments while addressing questions from parliament members.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday Washington and Ankara had done little to solve a row over Turkey's purchase of Russian defenses and its procurement of US fighter jets despite a November agreement, according to broadcaster NTV.