Expert Opposition to Turkey Acquiring S-400

“Turkey's decision to purchase S-400s from Russia is an unfortunate decision that will only weaken NATO unity and interoperability and leave Turkey isolated from its closest allies. Russia is doing its very best to undermine NATO solidarity. That's why it has pushed so hard for Turkey to purchase the S-400s. Russia knows that this sale will weaken NATO's collective hand.”

- Julianne Smith, Weizsäcker Fellow, Bosch Academy in Berlin; Former Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President of the United States

"For decades, the US and Turkey have enjoyed strong and close bilateral relations, especially in the defense area. The potential acquisition of the Russian S-400 system is nothing more than a bitter political statement by the angry Turkish President of his unhappiness with the US. This willingness to damage the US-Turkish relationship to score a political point is deeply troubling, especially given that such an acquisition does nothing to add to the security of Turkey. There are better ways for Turkey to resolve its differences with the US than to cause such deep and long-lasting damage to the relationship with its close friend and Ally."

- Jim Townsend, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Security Program, Center for a New American Security; Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy

Read the full release from the House Foreign Affairs Committee.