Turkey's defense chief denies U.S. deadline on S-400

Turkey’s defense minister Hulusi Akar denied claims the U.S. gave Turkey a deadline to reconsider buying Russia's S-400 air defense missile systems.

Speaking to Haberturk channel, the minister said Turkey has not been given any such deadline.

“We are carrying out activities in a way that will completely fulfill the responsibilities given to us,” he said, adding that Turkey made full payment for F-35 fighter jets to Washington.

The minister said four F-35 fighter jets have already been delivered to Turkey and their activities are ongoing at the base in the U.S.

“Training of our four pilots is underway and hundreds of sergeants got maintenance training and returned [to Turkey],” Anadolu Agency cite Akar as saying.