'Extremely sensitive issue': Kremlin in talks with Turkey over reported S-400 sale to Gulf nation

The Kremlin said on Friday that Russia is in contact with Turkey regarding the future of the Russian-made S-400 missile defence systems owned by Ankara, after reports suggested that Turkey is preparing to transfer the systems to an unnamed Gulf country.

According to a report by Turkey's pro-government newspaper Hurriyet, Ankara has finalised a deal to sell the S-400 systems to a third party, likely the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or Qatar, and could announce the transfer as early as Friday.

The move is reportedly aimed at convincing the US to lift sanctions imposed on Turkey over its purchase of the Russian air defence system.

"According to the information I have, the S-400s have been sold to a third party. The deal will be announced today (Friday - TASS). The S-400 systems will be transferred to a Persian Gulf country," Hurriyet columnist Abdulkadir Selvi wrote.

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Responding to the report and questions about whether Turkey had sought Moscow's approval for the deal, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the issue as highly sensitive.

"I can say one thing here: this is an extremely sensitive issue. However, we have been in contact with the Turkish side on this matter, and we will continue to maintain contact with them on this issue."

The reported development comes days after the US signalled a possible sale of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to Turkiye.

Speaking during a Nato summit in Ankara on July 7-8, US President Donald Trump said Washington was open to considering the sale following discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Turkey has been, in many ways, much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal... It's a great plane (F-35), it’s the best, currently the best plane by far. And it’s certainly something we will consider (sale of the fighter to Turkey," Trump told reporters upon his arrival in Ankara.

Turkey's acquisition of the S-400 system from Russia has long been a point of contention with Washington.

In 2017, Ankara signed a USD 2.5 billion deal with Moscow to purchase four divisions of the missile defence system. The purchase triggered US sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), and led to Turkey's removal from the F-35 fighter jet programme in 2020.

US lawmakers have maintained that Turkey would need to part with its S-400 systems before any restrictions on defence cooperation, including F-35 sales, can be lifted. Trump, however, has indicated that Washington is willing to reconsider the sanctions.

The S-400 remains one of the world's most advanced air defence systems and is also operated by India.

New Delhi signed a $5.43 billion agreement with Russia in October 2018 for five S-400 squadrons and has so far received four. Delivery of the final squadron has been delayed due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The system played a key role during India's 'Operation Sindoor' last year, helping the Indian Armed Forces counter attempts by Pakistan to target military and civilian infrastructure, according to official accounts.

With inputs from agencies