Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said n Friday the Turkish lira was being targeted in an operation but that Turkey will overcome the attack and the currency volatility will pass.

Turkey is taking the necessary measures in response to a slide in the lira (Turkey’s currency) and is beginning to see actual results from these steps, Erdogan said in a speech at a military graduation ceremony.

There’s no need to be a genius to see those behind the volatility in exchange rates, it is an operation against Turkey, Erdogan added.

Erdogan meanwhile, reaffirmed Turkey’s intention to purchase S-400s from Russia, despite US pressure.

“When missiles from Syria fell on our territory, our citizens died and were injured, our [NATO] partners began to withdraw the missile defense systems deployed in Turkey. We need such systems, but they refused to sell them to us. And when we tried to solve this issue on our own, they put obstacles in our way. Turkey needs S-400s, we have made a decision on this agreement. I hope that we will receive these systems in the near future,” Erdogan said.

The Turkish president also stated that Ankara needs F-35 fighter jets and will move forward to get them from the United States, but would obtain jets elsewhere if Washington halts deliveries of the F-35s.

“They are even attempting to stop the deliveries that have been paid for. We have already paid $900 million. They should supply 120 F-35 jets to us,” Erdogan emphasized.

Source: Agencies