OMM Redaksiyası
US Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said the dispute between Washington and Ankara over Türkiye’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system “will be resolved,” Anadolu Agency reported.
Speaking to reporters outside the Turkish House in New York on Monday, Barrack said US and Turkish teams were working “tirelessly” to address bilateral and regional issues.
“The relationship between Türkiye and the United States is closer than ever,” he said, adding that the two countries remain in constant dialogue.
Dispute linked to US sanctions law
Asked whether the S-400 issue was now in Türkiye’s hands, Barrack replied: “The ball is on many courts.”
He said the disagreement was connected to US legislation, including the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, known as CAATSA, as well as questions regarding the system’s operational status, ownership and eventual disposal.
Barrack said the matter was being addressed and described it as “not a critical issue. It’s a relationship issue.”
Washington and Ankara seek broader progress
The ambassador also pointed to Türkiye’s defense industry, saying the country has “a viable defense industry separate from the S-400.” He noted that countries had different views on how the dispute should be resolved, while stressing the wider scope of US-Türkiye relations.
Barrack voiced optimism about bilateral ties and said the two sides needed to identify what would lead to “a positive outcome.”
Asked whether US President Donald Trump was satisfied with the current state of relations, Barrack said: “President Trump is never content. He’s always trying to better the relationship.”
He described Trump’s relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as “very strong and appreciative.”
The remarks came as Erdogan was in New York for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, where he is scheduled to address the General Debate on Tuesday.
Barrack had earlier said that Erdogan and Trump were expected to meet on the sidelines of the gathering.
