The text of a bill on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) providing that the US President shall impose sanctions on Turkey for the acquisition of S-400 air defence system from the Russian Federation has been agreed on by a temporary joint committee which was formed to draft a compromise between the Senate and the House. The vote is expected to take place next week following which the Act will be sent to US President to sign. He will then have to impose the sanctions no later than 30 days after the Act is enacted.

“The acquisition by the Government of Turkey of the S–400 air defense system from the Russian Federation beginning on July 12, 2019, constitutes a significant transaction as described in section 231 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 9525),” the legislative text reads.

“Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall impose five or more of the sanctions described in section 235 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 9529) with respect to each person that knowingly engaged in the acquisition of the S-400 air defense system referred to in subsection (b),” it adds.

It also provides that “on and after the date that is one year after the date on which the President imposes sanctions under subsection (c) with respect to a person, the President may terminate the application of such sanctions” with respect to that person.

This may happen if the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees a certification that the Government of Turkey and any person acting on its behalf no longer possesses the S–400 air defense system or a successor system.

He must also submit certification that no S-400 air defense system or successor system is operated or maintained inside Turkey by nationals of the Russian Federation or persons acting on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation or the defense sector of the Russian Federation.

Additionally he must have “received reliable assurances from the Government of Turkey that the Government of Turkey will not knowingly engage, or allow any foreign person to engage on its behalf, in pursuing any activity subject to sanctions under section 231 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 9525) to reacquire the S-400 air defense system or a successor system.”