OREANDA-NEWS. NATO reminded the Turkish authorities of its dissatisfaction with the acquisition of Russian S-400s, which are not compatible enough with the Alliance’s air defense system. This was announced on Friday by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a press conference following talks with the Turkish Foreign Minister in Ankara, which was broadcast by the alliance’s press service.

"We discussed Turkey’s acquisition of Russian S-400 systems. I reiterated NATO’s concern with this decision. These systems are not compatible with NATO air defense capabilities and pose a potential threat to the military aviation of the alliance’s countries", Stoltenberg said. Stoltenberg also welcomed the fact that Turkey does not refuse to negotiate with the United States and other NATO countries on the acquisition of their air defense systems. He also promised that NATO "will continue to support Turkey in providing air defense" to the territory adjacent to the Syrian border.

In turn, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, following a meeting with Stoltenberg, explained the acquisition of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems by Ankara’s reluctance to always ask NATO to deploy their air defense systems along its borders.