Turkey–United States relations

Top U.S. diplomat Mike Pompeo has assured his Turkish counterpart that American sanctions imposed on Ankara for its acquisition of a Russian missile defense system were not intended to weaken the country's military capabilities.

The U.S.' unilateral sanctions attack the sovereign rights of Turkey and other countries, the Turkish foreign minister said on Dec. 17. 

In an interview with Turkish news broadcaster 24 TV, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said relations between the two countries could normalize if the U.S. meets Turkey's expectations.

The U.S. sanctions announced this week are a "blatant attack" on Turkish sovereignty, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Dec. 16.

"What kind of an alliance is this? This decision is an open attack on our sovereignty," Erdoğan said at a highway opening ceremony via teleconference.

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.

Members of the US Congress have quietly blocked major US arms sales to Turkey for nearly two years in an effort to pressure Ankara to abandon its Russian S-400 missile system, news website Defense News reported.

Greece welcomed the announced US sanctions against the top Turkish defense development body, its president and three employees on Monday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan brushed off possible European Union sanctions against Turkey on Wednesday, saying they would not affect his country.

Speaking to reporters before departing for a visit to Azerbaijan, Erdogan also accused the EU of acting "dishonestly" toward Turkey and of failing to keep its promises.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would discuss strained US relations with President-elect Joe Biden when he takes office, playing down the possibility of sanctions over Turkey's purchase of Russian missile defense systems.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that any sanctions imposed by the European Union on Turkey will not have a great impact, adding that the bloc had never acted honestly or kept its promises.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Dec. 9 that any sanctions imposed by the European Union on Turkey will not have a great impact, adding that the bloc had never acted honestly or kept its promises.