Turkey Seeks Trump’s Support to Defuse Russian Missile Dispute
- Trump gave Turkey ‘quite positive feedback,’ Albayrak says
- Turkey says missiles won’t be integrated with NATO equipment
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Turkey has taken its case for buying a Russian air-defense system directly to President Donald Trump, in a last-ditch effort to defuse tensions between the NATO allies.
“We delivered our message and received quite positive feedback,” Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak told reporters on Monday, after he explained to the U.S. president why Turkey needs missiles that have raised questions about its alliance with the West. It’s likely to use the advanced system to defend Istanbul, the country’s commercial center, and its capital, Ankara, according to Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.