McCaul & Engel Statement on Turkey’s Receipt of S-400

Washington D.C.— Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Lead Republican of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Congressman Eliot L. Engel (D-NY), Chairman of the Committee, today made the following statement on Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 air and missile defense system:  

“We have warned Turkey and President Erdogan time and time again that taking delivery of the Russian S-400 air and missile defense system would have serious consequences for the U.S.-Turkey relationship, including Turkey’s participation in the F-35 program. We have warned them that obtaining the S-400 system would trigger sanctions. We have backed the Administration’s offer to sell the PATRIOT system to meet Turkey’s air and missile defense needs. President Erdogan was given a very clear choice. Unfortunately, he has clearly made the wrong one. That a NATO ally would choose to side with Russia and Vladimir Putin over the alliance and closer cooperation with the United States is hard to fathom. We call on the Department of State and the Department of Defense to terminate Turkey’s participation in the F-35 program and to sanction Turkish individuals doing business with the Russian defense sector, as required by law. Turkey and Erdogan must face stiff consequences for this decision.” 

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