Russia and Turkey Discuss Reselling S-400 Missile Systems
- Turkey is actively negotiating with Moscow regarding the potential transfer of Russian-made S-400 anti-missile defense systems to a third country maintaining friendly relations with Russia, according to official...
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow could potentially grant approval for the resale of the S-400 systems to a responsible government linked by friendly ties to...
- Turkey acquired the S-400 missile systems in 2017 during a period of heightened diplomatic tension between Washington and Ankara.
Turkey is actively negotiating with Moscow regarding the potential transfer of Russian-made S-400 anti-missile defense systems to a third country maintaining friendly relations with Russia, according to official statements from Russian authorities on September 30. The discussions arrive as Ankara seeks to resolve a long-standing diplomatic standoff with the United States that began when Turkey purchased the air defense systems in 2017.
Diplomatic Talks on S-400 Transfer to a Friendly Nation
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow could potentially grant approval for the resale of the S-400 systems to a responsible government linked by friendly ties to Russia, though he provided no further specifics. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the ongoing discussions during his daily press briefing on September 30, in response to questions from Agence France-Presse.
This subject is the order of the day. Appropriate work and appropriate contacts are under way,
Peskov stated during the briefing.
Ankara requires formal consent from Moscow to execute any resale because Turkey does not possess the re-export license for the Russian military hardware.
Origins of the U.S. Sanctions and F-35 Exclusion
Turkey acquired the S-400 missile systems in 2017 during a period of heightened diplomatic tension between Washington and Ankara. Throughout the deployment, the hardware has reportedly never been activated for any purpose other than testing. The procurement triggered penalties from Washington. In 2019, the United States formally excluded Turkey from the joint-strike fighter program, barring Ankara from receiving F-35 aircraft that it had already paid for. The following year, the U.S. imposed direct economic sanctions on Turkey. The dispute also hindered subsequent military supply chains, including the delivery of F110 engines intended for the Turkish KAAN fighter jet program.