21.12.2019, Ankara.
Ankara will have an adequate response if Washington imposes sanctions on the TurkStream natural gas pipeline, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on December 20, reports the Turkish NTV channel.
The US had already threatened to impose sanctions over Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense systems, recalled the president. Erdogan also noted that this has been left behind, however, Washington is now threatening with sanctions over the TurkStream natural gas pipeline project. “If it is necessary for us to take such a step, of course we have the authority”, said the Turkish president.
On December 11, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved legislation to impose sanctions against Turkey in connection with the purchase of the S-400 air defense system. The law imposes restrictions on the supply of US arms to Turkey, as well as personal sanctions against Turkish officials responsible for military operations in Syria.
It should be noted that on the same day the Senate adopted a resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide. Turkey reacted highly negatively to this decision.
Also, on December 18, commenting on the US Senate decision, Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that unilateral sanctions violate international law.
“We are categorically against any sanction pressure and the use of sanction tools, whether it be through the financial system, the economy, or the humanitarian sphere, in addressing contradictions and problems in relations with other states,” said Zakharova.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
