NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg believes that Turkey wouldn't make steps that allegedly undermine the unity of NATO. However, Karalus argues that Turkey is a sovereign and independent state that can "decide by itself when and with whom it should collaborate."
"There are some NATO members who are not really happy about the development of Russian-Turkish relations. After the crisis between Russia and Turkey has been resolved, some NATO states called Turkey a disobedient ally and threatened to stop all military and political contacts with the country," Karalus told Sputnik.
Turkey is interested in buying Russian weapons because of their high quality. However, NATO countries view this step as a threat to the unity of the alliance, Karalus said.
"With regard to the purchase of reliable and high-precision Russian weapons, it is obvious that Turkey is interested in them and is currently negotiating the purchase of such Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems. Turkey intends to buy Russian weapons paying for them with its own money and for the sake of its own national interests. Therefore, NATO's intervention in Turkey's actions for the sake of its own interests is inadmissible," Karalus concluded.
Earlier, the Turkish defense minister said that Ankara was in talks with Moscow on the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems.
Russian-Turkish relations deteriorated after the Turkish Air Force downed a Russian Su-24 bomber in late 2015. Moscow demanded that Ankara should apologize for downing the aircraft and cover any associated material losses to the country and the pilot's family. Reconciliation efforts began in late June following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's apology for the incident.
