BOISE, Idaho – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement regarding Turkey’s S-400 missile defense system testing today:
“Turkey’s test of the Russian S-400 missile defense system is unacceptable behavior from a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally. It further damages the alliance and poses a direct threat to the F-35 and other U.S. and NATO allies’ systems.
“Turkey and Russia have a deep history of disagreement and conflict. The burgeoning relationship between these two nations that Erdogan is pursuing has started to raise serious concerns for the security of the eastern Mediterranean and the Caucuses. These interests are in direct conflict with Turkey’s long-standing allies in NATO and fuel instability in the region.
“U.S. law requires sanctions against countries that continue to deepen their defense relationship with Russia, and the administration should send a strong signal that Turkey must divest its S-400s. My position on this is not new – President Erdogan must be accountable for his actions over the last several years. Today’s further action is beyond the pale.”
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