Andrew Brunson

Turkey has been stockpiling parts for F-16 fighter jets and other military hardware in anticipation of American sanctions, Bloomberg has reported, citing two Turkish officials familiar with their country's defense strategy.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the first delivery of the Russian S-400 missile defense system would take place within 10 days, broadcaster NTV reported on Sunday, a day after he said there would be no US sanctions over the deal.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on June 26 said ties between Ankara and Washington are based on a strategic partnership and he did not get an impression of sanction from the U.S. President Donald Trump.       

Turkey on June 11 reiterated its demand for the extradition of Fetullah Gülen, the leader of the FETÖ.   

European Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos will be traveling to Turkey on Monday to meet with high-ranking officials.

Some 16,540 personnel of the Turkish military have been dismissed as part of Ankara's fight against FETÖ since a coup attempt in 2016, the Defense Ministry has said.

Turkey's visiting defense minister called on Kosovo on April 4 to remove the barrier created by FETÖ, the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey, between the two countries.         

US Senators on Thursday introduced a bipartisan bill to prohibit the transfer of F-35 fighter aircraft to Turkey until the US government certifies that Ankara will not take delivery of a Russian S-400 air defense system, a statement on the move said.

Weeping in court at the start of his trial on espionage charges, a U.S. consulate employee has denied that he chose to contact suspected supporters of FETÖ, which is believed to have orchestrated a failed military coup three years ago.

In a statement, the Turkish Justice Ministry said that Gül stressed the importance of extradition of U.S.-based Gülen and other members of FETÖ, the group behind the 2016 defeated coup bid in Turkey.