S-400 procurement 'national decision': NATO chief

WASHINGTON- Anadolu Agency

Turkey's procurement of an advanced Russian surface-to-air missile defense system is a "national decision," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on April 4.

Stoltenberg was addressing reporters as the transatlantic alliance marks its 70th anniversary in the U.S. capital.

Turkey's decision to procure the Russian S-400 system has led to significantly strained ties with Washington, which earlier this week suspended delivery of parts and services necessary to Turkey's receipt of the F-35 stealth fighter jet.

The NATO chief said the matter is not on the meeting's agenda, but he expected it to be addressed on the sidelines of the talks.

"We see that this is an issue which has created disagreement between allies, and NATO provides a platform for allies to address issues like this," Stoltenberg said.

"NATO provides support that augments the air defenses of Turkey already," he added.

Stoltenberg pointed to current deployments of Spanish Patriot and Italian SAMP/T batteries to Turkey, and further welcomed ongoing dialogues between Turkey and the U.S. over Patriot battery procurements and trilateral negotiations between Turkey, France and Italy about purchases of the SAMP/T system.