The White House said on Wednesday that Turkeys decision to purchase the Russian S-400 air defense system renders its continued involvement in the F-35 joint strike fighter program impossible. "The F-35 cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities," the White House said in a statement. The White House sought to downplay the impact of the decision on the US relationship with Turkey, saying that Washington still "greatly values" its strategic relationship with Ankara. "As NATO allies, our relationship is multi-layered, and not solely focused on the F-35. Our military-to-military relationship is strong, and we will continue to cooperate with Turkey extensively, mindful of constraints due to the presence of the S-400 system in Turkey," the White House said in its statement. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday it was "not fair" to either Turkey or the United States that Washington cannot sell Ankara billions of dollars worth of F-35 fighter jets after Turkey bought a Russian air defense system. Turkey started taking delivery of Russias S-400 air defense system last week in defiance of US warnings that doing so would mean the Pentagon would kick it out of the F-35 stealth fighter program and that it could be subject to sanctions. Washington is concerned that deploying the S-400 with the F-35 would allow Russia to gain too much inside information of the stealth system of the advanced technology fighter. It also warned Turkey would face sanctions under US legislation seeking to prevent countries from buying military equipment from Russia. Turkey says S-400 is a strategic defense requirement, above all to secure its southern borders with Syria and Iraq. On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankaras "next target was joint production with Russia" of the next missile defense system. “The S-400s are the strongest defense system against those who want to attack our country. God willing, we are doing this as a joint investment with Russia, and will continue to do so.”