Türkiye is trying to return its S-400 missile systems to Russia in an effort to reset relations with the United States, Bloomberg reports. The move could lead to the lifting of sanctions on Türkiye’s defense sector and reentry into the F-35 fighter jet program. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan personally raised the issue with Vladimir Putin during their meeting last week, according to sources familiar with the matter.
This comes amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as Ankara maintains ties with both countries while blocking the entry of both Moscow’s and Kyiv’s naval vessels into the Black Sea under the Montreux Convention. Türkiye, NATO’s second-largest military power by army size, balances between East and West by avoiding sanctions on Russia while restricting its naval access and supplying weapons to Ukraine, as Erdoğan maintains ties with both Trump and Putin.
Erdoğan seeks S-400 return during talks with Putin
Erdoğan asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to take back the S-400 missile systems Türkiye bought years ago, Bloomberg reports, citing people familiar with the talks. The two leaders met in Turkmenistan last week, and this request followed earlier quiet discussions between Turkish and Russian officials. The Kremlin has denied that such a request was made during the meeting.
Russia wants back its S-400s from Turkiye, which it used not only for air defense in Ukraine’s war
According to Bloomberg, Ankara is not only offering to return the Russian-made air defense systems but is also seeking a refund. One possible arrangement being considered involves deducting the amount from Türkiye’s payments for Russian oil and natural gas. However, this would still require further negotiation between the two sides.
US pressure intensifies over S-400 issue
Erdoğan’s move comes amid increasing pressure from Washington to abandon the S-400s. The issue came up again during Erdoğan’s September meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, according to Bloomberg. Trump’s close ally Tom Barrack, who serves as ambassador to Türkiye, told media this month that Ankara was now “closer” to giving up the missiles. He said the dispute could be resolved within four to six months.
Watch: Ukraine’s FPV drones strike Russia’s prized S-400 air defense occupied Crimea
Abandoning the Russian military equipment could pave the way for lifting US sanctions on Türkiye’s defense industry, according to Bloomberg’s sources. A top Turkish diplomat reportedly said he expects the sanctions to be lifted next year. Bloomberg’s sources say the diplomatic value of abandoning the systems could outweigh the billions of dollars already spent on them.
Missiles remain idle amid NATO concerns
Bloomberg says Türkiye has never activated the S-400s since they arrived in the country. NATO has warned that operating the Russian system alongside Western aircraft could expose sensitive information to Moscow. These concerns helped drive the US decision to expel Türkiye from the F-35 program in 2019. The following year, Washington imposed sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), cutting off Türkiye’s access to sensitive US military technology.
