The Russian S-400 missile system will become active in early 2020, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said Monday.
He stated that uncertainty presided over possible U.S. sanctions regarding Turkey's purchase of the Russian missiles.
"Trump does not want to impose sanctions," he said in an interview with broadcaster TGRT Haber.
The United States announced on Wednesday that it was beginning the process of removing Turkey from the program for the F-35 stealth fighter-- the most advanced aircraft in the U.S. arsenal, which is used by NATO and other partner countries-- over Ankara's purchase of the S-400 missiles.
"Partners in the F-35 program do not agree with the U.S.'s decision to suspend Turkey," he added.
Turkey, like other partners in the F-35 program, was part of the manufacturing supply chain for the high-tech jet aircraft, producing some 900 parts. A U.S. official said it would cost some $500 million to $600 million to shift F-35 manufacturing from Turkey.
"Turkey will met its needs elsewhere if the U.S. does not supply it with the F-35 jets," the foreign minister said.
"Turkey will retaliate if the United States imposes sanctions over Ankara's purchase of Russian S-400 missile defence systems," he stated, adding that any such sanctions would be unacceptable.
Çavuşoğlu said that if a planned safe zone in northern Syria is not established, and if threats continue against Turkey, a military operation will be launched east of the Euphrates river.
Turkey has been in talks with the United States over the establishment of a safe zone across its border in northeast Syria, where the United States supports the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terror group.
The foreign minister added that he hopes an agreement will be reached after talks on Monday with U.S. special envoy for Syria James Jeffrey, who is visiting Ankara.
