Turkish-Russian solidarity makes some countries jealous, says Erdogan

ANKARA, July 26./TASS/. Solidarity of Turkey and Russia makes some countries jealous, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday in Johannesburg, the venue of the 10th summit of the BRICS group of nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Anadolu Agency reports. "Solidarity of our countries excited jealousy of certain countries," the Turkish leader said before behind-closed-doors talks with President Vladimir Putin. Earlier on Thursday, US President Donald Trump threatened ‘large sanctions’ against Turkey for "their long time detainment of (American) Pastor Andrew Brunson". In response, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted: "Noone dictates Turkey. We will never tolerate threats from anybody". In mid-July, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Tina Kaidanow told reporters that Washington was in talks with Turkey on the possible sale of a Patriot missile defense system instead of Turkey’s purchase of a Russian S-400 system. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell warned on June 26 that the purchase of S-400 would entail sanctions against Ankara and would change bilateral relations. Read more