WASHINGTON – The Trump administration on Monday imposed sanctions on its NATO ally Turkey over its purchase of a Russian air defense system, setting the stage for further confrontation between the two nations as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office. Last month, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkey was prepared to discuss with the U.S. its “anxiety” over the interoperability of the S-400s and the F-35s. Turkey tested the missile defense system in October for the first time, drawing a condemnation from the Pentagon. Ankara says it was forced to buy the Russian system because the U.S. refused to sell it American-made Patriot missiles. The Turkish government has also pointed to what it considers a double standard, as NATO member Greece uses Russian-made missiles.

The Turkish currency continued its slide to reach an all time low on Monday, after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan challenged the United States to slap sanctions over his government's decision to test its Russian-made air defense system. The lira dropped another 1.3% to 8.06 against the dollar, a day after Erdogan dared Washington to impose sanctions after the NATO-member country tested the S-400 air defense system it purchased from Russia. NATO has said that the Russian system poses a threat to the military alliance and particularly endangers the technical secrets of the F-35. President Donald Trump, however, has held back on implementing the sanctions amid hopes Erdogan will not go ahead with activating the missiles. The lira has lost around 25% of its value this year as the coronavirus pandemic continues to batter the economy and amid concerns over Turkey’s troubled relations with the United States and several European nations.

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration on Friday slammed Turkey for taking a new step toward fielding a Russian-made air defense weapon. “The U.S. Department of Defense condemns in the strongest possible terms Turkey’s October 16 test of the S-400 air defense system,” the top Pentagon spokesman, Jonathan Hoffman, said in a statement. The U.S. kicked Turkey out of the F-35 program in 2019 after it took possession of the S-400 system. The Trump administration has held out the possibility of easing the dispute if Turkey decides not to move forward with activating the air defense system, but Erdogan seems ready to go ahead. Turkey, which neighbors trouble spots such as Syria, Iraq and Iran, has long sought to address shortcomings in air defense.

ISTANBUL – Turkey’s president on Friday confirmed the country tested its Russian-made S-400 missile defense system, despite objections from the United States. Ankara insists it was forced to purchase the Russian system after Washington refused to sell it the U.S. Patriot system. Erdogan also suggested a double standard, saying NATO member Greece was using its S-300 missile defense system. He asked: “Is America telling them anything?”Russia delivered the Russian defense system last year. Turkish media reported last week the military test-fired the Russian S-400 air defense system in the Black Sea province of Sinop.

ANKARA – NATO-member Turkey has tested its Russian-made advanced air defense missile system, Turkish media reports said Friday, raising the specter of a new standoff with the United States. A Haber television, which is close to the government, said on its website that Turkey’s military test-fired the Russian S-400 air defense system in the Black Sea province of Sinop. “We object to Turkey’s purchase of the system, and are deeply concerned with reports that Turkey is bringing it into operation." Russia delivered the defense system last year. During a visit to Turkey earlier this month, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated that the Russian-made system, which has reportedly cost Turkey $2.5 billion, cannot be integrated into the NATO air and missile defense system.