The Kremlin confirmed Friday it is holding discussions with Turkish leaders over future control over the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system, as Turkey looks for ways to gain access to U.S. jet fighters.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that “most sensitive” and ongoing conversations are taking place over the S-400s, but provided few details.
Turkish media reports earlier this week said Turkey was considering a plan to transfer the missile system to an unspecified Gulf country. However, Turkish officials have not confirmed that the transfer will take place.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has previously emphasized that contractual obligations from the 2017 acquisition prohibit Turkey from reselling or relocating the system without formal authorization from Moscow.
The development comes as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looks to offload the S-400s to gain access to the manufacturing program for the F-35 fighter jet.
The U.S. sanctioned and removed Turkey from the program in 2019 over its purchase of the Russian system in 2017. Turkey has also faced significant criticism from its fellow NATO allies for acquiring the system.
Turkey found some optimism regarding its reinstatement in the F-35 program following remarks by President Trump at the NATO summit, where he suggested that Turkey’s possession of the S-400 system was not a primary obstacle.
“Why wouldn’t we do that?” Mr. Trump said when asked if he would let Turkey back into the program. “Turkey, in many ways, has been much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal.”
Still, Turkey’s continued possession of the S-400 system remains a major concern for lawmakers who don’t want to give Russia back-channel access to the advanced fighter jet program. By law, Mr. Trump cannot unilaterally back Turkey into the program until his administration certifies it has permanently given away all S-400 systems.
For Turkey, potential access to advanced F-35 fighter jets is far more attractive than keeping a nearly 10-year-old defense system. Since its purchase, the S-400s have mostly sat in storage, with their interceptor missiles already at approximately half their shelf life, according to a report in Turkey’s Nefes Gazetesi.
Russia, strained by the demands of the war in Ukraine, may also want to take back the S-400s to assist interception efforts as Kyiv, Ukraine, ramps up its attacks on targets beyond the front line.
