Sanctions against Turkey for S-400s in final US defence budget bill

Defence Redefined

Published on 04/12/2020 at 09:15

The 2021 National Defence Budget Bill Welfare (NDAA 2021) mandates the US President to impose CAATSA sanctions on Turkey for its purchase of Russian S-400 missiles. The joint committee, which revised the two different bills adopted by Parliament and the Senate in July on the National Defence Budget Law 2021 (NDAA 2021), included the provision in the final bill.

The final bill is expected to be voted before the plenary of the Parliament and the Senate next week and immediately signed by President Trump.

In July, in the context of NDAA, unlike the Senate, the Parliament referred to sanctions on Turkey. Finally, the Joint Committee submitted proposals by Senator Menendez – which were accepted – that further strengthened the wording of the Parliament’s bill.

The report states that the procurement of the S-400 anti-aircraft system by the Turkish government in July 12, 2019 is a significant transaction, as described by Article 231 of CAATSA.

“No later than 30 days after the date of entry into force of this Act, the President shall impose 5 or more sanctions as described in Section 235 of CAATSA, in respect of any person knowingly involved in the procurement of the S-400 anti-aircraft system.”

The bill stipulates that after one year, the President may lift the sanctions provided that he confirms to the relevant congressional committees that the Turkish government and any person acting on its behalf no longer own the S-400 air defence system or any system that has succeeded it. Furthermore, he needs to confirm that no official of the Russian Federation or persons acting on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation or the defence sector of the Russian Federation shall operate or maintain within Turkey any S-400 air defence system or any system that has succeeded it. Finally, it will need to be certified that the President has received credible assurances from the Government of Turkey that the latter will not knowingly engage or allow any foreigner to engage in any activity for the recovery of the S-400 air defence system subject to sanctions under section 231 of the CAATSA Act.

Also read: Turkey launches S-400 missiles in Sinop – Photos & VIDEO

Turkey was urged to stop provocative actions in Eastern Mediterranean, State Department confirms

US views on Turkish actions have not changed and have prompted Turkey to end, among other things, provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, the State Department spokesman said, when asked to comment on information that the US Secretary of State, speaking at the recent NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting, used harsh language regarding Turkey.

Answering a question of hellasjournal.com, the State Department spokesman said the NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting was an important opportunity for frank closed-door discussions with its closest allies and partners.

“Our views on recent Turkish actions have not changed. The United States has urged Turkey on several occasions to resolve the S-400 issue, stop using Syrian fighters in foreign conflicts and stop provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he said.

Concluding, the State Department spokesman said the United States remains committed to its strategic relationship “with NATO-ally Turkey.”

According to recent reports, US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, reportedly said in his speech at the summit (which was held online) that Turkey opposes the principles and operation of the Alliance, thus undermining its cohesion. Mike Pompeo reportedly highlighted Turkey’s provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Libya, Syria and Nagorno-Karabakh. He is said to have described the acquisition of the S-400 anti-aircraft system as a “gift to Russia” from a NATO ally. Finally, he allegedly asked for the restart of the de-escalation mechanism between Athens and Ankara, which does not operate because of Turkey.

Also read: The United States opposes the acquisition of S-400 by Turkey and warns of the threat of sanctions