Ankara and Washington have started talks to form a joint working group regarding Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400s missile defense system and the US sanctions stemming from it, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a news conference, Cavusoglu said the working group had not been formed yet but talks among experts had begun.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday that Moscow and Ankara's military cooperation would not be deterred by the US sanctions on Turkey for acquiring the S-400s system.
Washington this month punished Turkey for the deal, imposing rare sanctions against a NATO ally.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the time told Cavusoglu that the American sanctions were intended to prevent Russia from receiving substantial revenues from the sale.
On Tuesday, Cavusoglu visited Moscow for talks with Lavrov, who told reporters that, "we have confirmed our mutual intention to develop military ties with Turkey."
He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin appreciated Turkey's determination to "continue cooperation in this area despite continuing illegitimate pressure from Washington."
