President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday categorically denied that Turkey was planning to send controversially bought Russian-made S-400 air defence systems to Ukraine.
There had been reports that Turkey's Nato allies had suggested the transfer to aid Ukraine's war effort.
But the Turkish leader told journalists aboard a flight back from the Nato summit in Brussels that his position on the Russian defence system was unchanged, reported broadcaster Haberturk.
The US imposed sanctions on Turkey's defence industry in December 2020 over the purchase of the S-400 system and expelled Ankara from the F-35 stealth fighter jet programme, where it was a manufacturer and buyer. Ankara said those measures were unjust.
Nato allies said the purchase was incompatible with the defence alliance’s integrated weapons procurement and expressed fears that the Russian systems could give Moscow insight into how to spot the stealth F-35 joint strike fighter.
Reuters last week reported that the US had informally discussed the idea that Turkey could transfer its S-400 systems to Ukraine, which relies heavily on Russian military equipment despite massive arms flows from the West since the war started a month ago.
In exchange, Reuters suggested, the US would drop sanctions and reverse its suspension of Turkey’s part in the development and purchase of F-35 jets.
Asked about the reports on Friday, Mr Erdogan reportedly denied the idea had been raised and said of Washington: “All they do is cause commotion.”
However, the Turkish president added that talks with Washington on buying new F-16 jets and kits were going well. He said he hoped the talks would yield results soon.
The president said he also discussed the possibility of buying SAMP/T missile defence systems from the Franco-Italian Eurosam consortium with France's President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi at the summit.
Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Results for Stage 2
Stage 2 Yas Island to Abu Dhabi, 184 km, Road race
Overall leader: Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Fernando Gaviria COL (UAE Team Emirates) 2. Elia Viviani ITA (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) 3. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal)
Leap of Faith
Michael J Mazarr
Public Affairs
Dh67
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 0
Liverpool 2 (Mane 50', 54')
Red card: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Man of the match: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
