The State Department has responded to reports of Turkey buying a second S-400 array, warning Ankara of sanctions in the event of arms procurement from Russia

As the US State Department spokesman pointed out, “what we have consistently reiterated is that Russia’s brutal and unjustified war against Ukraine makes it vital that all countries avoid doing business with the Russian defense sector.”

“Otherwise they risk being sanctioned,” Mr. Price pointed out.

It is noted that on Tuesday, the Russian news agency Tass reported that Russia and Turkey signed a contract to send a second batch of S-400 air defense systems to Ankara.

“The contract for the supply of Turkey for a second S-400 anti-aircraft missile system has been signed, while the document entails the identification of the production of individual components of the system,” the head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, Dmitry Shugaev, said on the sidelines of the international Forum Army-2022 in Moscow.

“The contract with Turkey is currently being implemented,” Shugaev added.

Contrary to Russian statements, a Turkish defense official said that “there are no new agreements”.

“The initial contract signed with Russia for the purchase of the S-400 already included two batches. The purchase of a second batch was included in the original plan and the related contract,” the official said, quoted by Reuters.

“Therefore, we do not have any specific developments worth mentioning. The process is ongoing and there are no new agreements,” he added.