By Umar Farooq</p> <p>WASHINGTON (AA) – The take-it-or-leave-it deadlines coming from the U.S. do not help dialogue between Ankara and Washington, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Monday.</p> <p>"Threats, ultimatums and deadlines do not help and they are not in line with the alliance’s spirit," Akar said at a conference on American-Turkish relations in Washington where he discussed Turkish procurement of the Russian S-400 missile defense system and increased pressure the U.S. has put on Turkey because of its decision.</p> <p>"We believe this issue can be solved through constructive dialogue," he said of talks with its NATO ally.</p> <p>Following protracted efforts to purchase air defense systems from the U.S. with no success, Ankara decided in 2017 to purchase Russia’s system.
Washington warned Ankara of its purchase of the S-400 system, and early April suspended delivery of parts and other services related to the F-35 jets.
U.S. officials suggested Turkey buy the U.S. Patriot missile systems rather than the S-400 from Moscow, arguing it would be incompatible with NATO systems and expose the F-35 to possible Russian subterfuge.
“A possible safe zone should address Turkey's national security concerns, ” Akar said in regards to the establishment of a safe zone along the Turkish-Syrian border.
