Pentagon expects no change in Turkish defense ties after Armenian Genocide recognition
The Pentagon does not expect military ties with Turkey to be impacted by U.S. President Joe Biden’s recognition of the Armenians Genocide.
“We don’t anticipate any change in the military relationship with Turkey,” U.S. Defence Ministry press secretary John Kirby told reporters on Monday, Ahval reported, citing Euronews.
Biden recognised the mass killings of Armenians during the Ottoman era as genocide on Saturday, in a move that threatens to further complicate fraught relations with Turkey. The governments and parliaments of 32 countries, which also include Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Russia and Brazil have formally recognised the genocide.
“The American people honour all those Armenians who perished in the genocide that began 106 years ago today,” Biden said.
Turkey is a NATO ally and there will also be no change in the mission to combat Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria, Kirby said.
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