The Turkish government will retaliate if the United States imposes sanctions over Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-400 missile defence systems, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, adding that any such sanctions would be unacceptable.
"If the United States slaps sanctions, we will respond in kind. A [relevant] step can also be taken with regard to the Incirlik airbase. This is a natural position under these circumstances, not a threat and blackmail," Cavusoglu told Turkish news TV channel TGRT Haber.
He said that U.S. President Donald Trump does not want to impose sanctions and added that he did not expect the U.S. administration to take such action.
The minister said that Turkey will meet its defense needs elsewhere if Washington does not give Ankara the F-35 jets.
