US: Turkey can get Patriot missiles after it returns Russia defence system

US soldiers can be seen with patriot missiles [US Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Debbie Lockhart]

US Department of Defence spokesperson, Jonathan Hoffman, said that Turkey can only receive the American made Patriot air defence system after it returns the Russian S-400 defence system.

Hoffman told reporters that the position of Defence Secretary Mark Esper had not changed on the issue which is that “Turkey is not going to receive a Patriot battery unless it returns the S-400”.

Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Washington had “softened” its position regarding Ankara’s purchase of the Russian S- 400 defence system.

Erdogan said the US had agreed to sell Ankara the Patriot defence system on the condition that Turkey does not operate the S-400 defence system.

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