he State Department sent the memo to Capitol Hill ahead of the Senate mark-up of a bill co-sponsored by Sens. Jim Risch (R-ID) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) titled "Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act."
The memo states that the Trump administration is of the view that imposing sanctions on Ankara would weaken NATO, lead Turkey to depend on Russia or other adversary countries in its arms supply, and that both results would hurt the national security of the United States.
The bill, which includes sanctions against Turkey for buying Russian surface-to-air missiles , would bar the U.S. from selling Turkey F-16 or F-35 fighter jets, including parts, until Turkey has fully abandoned the S-400 missile defense system it purchased from Russia.
In a seven-page memo to senators, the U.S. State Department argues its case against the so-called Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act, which is making its way through the Senate.
Under the legislation, the U.S. would impose sanctions on Turkey for buying the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system, and block any sales of the F-16 or F-35 fighter jets, including parts, to Ankara, a NATO ally, according to the news site.
The memo reportedly argues that imposing sanctions on Ankara would hurt the U.S.-Turkey trade in defense gear, make Turkey a “pariah” within the NATO alliance, and make it more dependent on buying arms from Moscow.
According to the website, a State Department spokesperson praised Turkey's membership and role in the alliance.
"NATO is stronger with Turkey as a member, and has been for nearly 70 years. Turkey has been a significant contributor to NATO collective security for decades," said the spokesperson.
The official also accused Russia of driving a wedge between the two countries and said: "We are working to maintain strong cooperation within the Alliance."