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Turkey, US talk over Russian missiles, US jet fighters

ANKARA, July 20 (KUNA) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo had a phone conversation on Saturday discussing the F-35 fighter jet program and S-400 air defense systems, according to official news agency Anadolu.
Cavusoglu and Pompeo discussed matters related to the halted sale of the American F-35 fighter jets to Ankara, its purchase of the S-400 Russian missiles and Syrian issues, particularly conditions in Manbij, Idlib and topics regarding the "safe zone," the state-run news agency said.
Turkey had deployed a large and heavily equipped military force in northern Syrian regions.
Tensions between Ankara and Washington have recently escalated due to Ankara's purchase of the Russian-made S-400 systems.
Washington, on Wednesday, declared that it would not supply Turkey with the advanced fighter jets in retaliation for the missile deal with Moscow.
The Turks had in vain sought to buy American-made Patriot missiles until 2017, when they worked out a deal with the Russians to buy their rockets.
There have been thorns in the US-Turkish relations over several files, such as the issue of Fethullah Gulen.
Ankara has sought to bring back Gulen, who has been living in exile in the US, and prosecute him on charges of conspiring against the state.
Moreover, the two sides differ on some issues on the Syrian arena, particularly Washington's support for Kurdish forces advocating establishment of an independent Kurdish state. (end) rs.rk