US Ambassador Barrack says resolving S-400 issue will take time — Anadolu Agency

US Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack said on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, United States, that resolving legal and regulatory issues related to Türkiye's purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems will take time. At the same time, he called defense cooperation between Ankara and Washington essential, Anadolu Agency reports.

US Congress requirements

According to Barrack, Türkiye and the United States are working to meet US Congress requirements related to the S-400 issue. He said the process is governed not only by the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), but also by the US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Answering a question about the S-400 and the F-35 fighter jet program, the diplomat noted that Congress must take into account the interests of various groups. As an example of economic interaction between the countries, he mentioned a recently announced $100 million transaction involving Boeing commercial aircraft.

Barrack called Türkiye the second-largest NATO ally and said that the United States relies heavily on it in various regional alliances.

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Contacts between Trump and Erdoğan

Barrack also said that relations between US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have never been better. According to him, the leaders have already discussed key bilateral issues, including during the NATO summit, and frequently stay in contact amid regional tensions.

The diplomat added that Trump and Erdoğan have mutual respect and communicate well despite cultural differences. The main issues, he said, are being worked on by the ministers and military leadership of the two countries.

Dialogue with Iran

Commenting on the meeting with Iran held the previous day, Barrack called continuing the dialogue a step in the right direction. He added that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was encouraged by the discussions.

The ambassador also expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement to stop the war with Iran. According to him, there is no alternative to seeking a solution.