The US Senate paved the way for the imposition of sanctions on Turkey in 30 days during the approval of the US defence budget for 2021.
Congress approved the 2021 NDAA Bill which imposes mandatory sanctions on Turkey for its acquisition of the Russian S-400 air missile defence system as required under existing US law with 84-13 votes.
The bill calls for CAATSA sanctions to be imposed on Turkey within a specific time frame and also funds $50.18 million worth of projects in Souda, Crete, such as military construction and a feasibility study of increased rotational deployments to Greece.
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted in favour of NDAA with 335-78 votes.
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“We commend Congress for holding Turkey accountable for its blatant violation of U.S. law by calling for the imposition of sanctions on Turkey no later than 30 days after the bill’s enactment, and separately, for strengthening defense cooperation between longtime NATO allies, United States and Greece,” AHEPA Supreme President George G. Horiates said. “This bill is a policy victory for the community, and we applaud all groups and individuals for their advocacy and reaching out to their legislators. We call on President Trump to sign it into law.”
US President Donald Trump has ten days to veto the bill, otherwise it becomes law.
