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Unites States ambassador to Ankara David Satterfield has commented on the latest developments in the S-400 crisis, noting that the US will keep working together with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in North East Syria.
Referring to Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu’s accusations against the US for their responsibility in the 15 July coup attempt, ambassador Satterfield said, “We are concerned about comments by senior Turkish officials, which would hold the US accountable for a series of developments in Turkey, including the 2016 coup”.
Calling the statements “baseless”, Satterfield said, “They’re not responsible statements from an ally and a strategic partner. And we regret them”.
According to Gazete Karınca’s report, Satterfield also commented on the recent actions carried out by Boğaziçi University students and reacted to the hateful discourse against LGBT+ individuals, which he said was not exclusive to Turkey and, “neither in Turkey, nor in the world, should such hateful language have a place”.
S-400 crisis
The crisis related to the S-400 air-defence system continues. “We did not aim to affect the Turkish defence sector as a whole, but rather specific licenses to SSP”, said Satterfield. “We were regrettably compelled to take this step.
“We worked over one year to find an effective solution to this issue originating in Turkey’s purchase of the S-400. It became impossible so we implemented American law. Sanctions were a legal necessity. I wish to express clearly that there is no such working group between the US and Turkey regarding the S-400 purchase”.
SDF
Regarding the attitude of the new US administration towards North East Syria, Satterfield said, “US policy has not changed. We will keep working together with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)”.
