Türkiye looks to ditch Russian S-400s to secure US F-35s — Bloomberg
F-35 fighter jet (photo: Getty Images)
Türkiye is seeking Moscow's approval to transfer its S-400 air defense missile systems to a third country, a move that could clear the way for Ankara to purchase US-made fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, according to Bloomberg.
Bid to unlock F-35 deal
The outlet, citing Turkish officials, says Ankara has stepped up negotiations with Russia in recent weeks. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had previously proposed simply returning the S-400 systems to Moscow, but that idea failed to gain support.
The Russian-made air defense batteries remain in Türkiye's arsenal but are not currently in operational use. If the Kremlin agrees, the systems would be transferred to a third country that has not yet been identified.
Russia has not provided an official response, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the issue as "extremely sensitive."
Türkiye had previously tried to reach an agreement with Washington by proposing that the United States oversee the operation of the S-400 systems on Turkish territory to ease concerns that sensitive F-35 data could be compromised. However, the White House rejected the proposal.
US's and Trump's stance
Talks with Moscow began ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, where US President Donald Trump hinted that the ban on selling F-35 fighter jets to Türkiye could be lifted.
However, US senators have already warned that simply relocating the S-400 systems to a third country may not fully address the underlying security concerns.
"I haven't totally made up my mind, but my inclination is to say, look, he's done everything, he's helped us in so many different ways," Trump said when asked about the possibility of selling the aircraft to Erdoğan.
Origin of dispute
Türkiye purchased the Russian air defense systems in 2019 during a period of strained relations with its NATO allies. Ankara argued that it turned to Moscow after Washington had long refused to sell it US-made Patriot missile systems.
In response to Türkiye's purchase of the S-400, the United States imposed sanctions on Türkiye under CAATSA in 2020 and removed the country entirely from the F-35 production and procurement program.
Background
As previously reported, it has recently emerged which step Erdoğan was prepared to take to have US sanctions on Türkiye lifted. According to media reports, Ankara plans to sell its Russian-made S-400 air defense missile systems to one of the Gulf states in order to eliminate US restrictions and secure multiple strategic benefits.
A few days earlier, Donald Trump also announced plans to lift US sanctions on Türkiye. Washington imposed the restrictions in 2020 after Ankara purchased the Russian S-400 air defense systems.
