Erdogan rejects US criticism of Turkey-Russia missile deal

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said Tuesday that his country has the right to seek the best ways to protect its national security.

The president made his remarks in response to the US administration opposition to Turkey’s missile defence system purchase from Russia.

“We have now taken steps with Russia about this issue. Deals have been inked. By God’s will, we will see S-400 missiles in our country and precede the process with joint production,” he said.

Senior US generals considered Ankara’s purchase of the Russian S-400 missiles a source of tension for the Turkish-US relations.

Read: Turkey in ‘final stage’ of purchasing missile system from Russia

“Why will it cause tension? A country should be able to search for the best ways for its own security” Erdogan told his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmakers.

Earlier, Chairman of the board of directors of Russia’s Rostec arms manufacturers, Sergey Chemezov said that the technical issues related to the sale of the S-400 systems have been “settled”, adding that now it is up to the Turkish and Russian governments to take the decision.