Türkiye has refused to transfer S-400 air defense systems to other countries, including Ukraine, reports the Ukrainian agency Unian. The authorities in Ankara previously purchased this weapon from the Russian Federation. Unian emphasizes that the reasons for this decision are closely linked to Turkish-Russian relations.

Türkiye's Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, in an interview with CNN, stated that there is no question of exporting the Turkish S-400 system to any country. This statement means that Ankara has rejected the request of the United States, which had previously indicated it would allow Türkiye's return to the F-35 fighter jet delivery program only if Türkiye gave up the S-400 systems bought from Russia. Analysts, referred to by Unian, had speculated that getting rid of the S-400 might entail handing over this weapon to Ukraine.

Will not give up weapons purchased from Russians

The first negotiations on the possibility of transferring the S-400 to Ukrainians were reported to have taken place shortly after the conflict in the east began, in March 2022. However, these talks were informal. After years of discussions, Türkiye has made it clear that the S-400 will not be exported to any country, including Ukraine.

Unian suggests that the reasons for Ankara's decision are not necessarily rooted in Türkiye-USA relations but rather in Turkish-Russian relations. They stated that abandoning the weapons bought from the Russian Federation would damage Turkish-Russian relations and tarnish Türkiye's reputation as a reliable partner.

Let's remember that the S-400 systems were delivered to Türkiye in 2019, following a deal signed two years prior worth £2 billion. The purchase of the equipment from Russia simultaneously excluded Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet production and delivery program. Although the US authorities proposed a "compromise" allowing Türkiye's return to the program on the condition of surrendering the S-400, the country did not accept this condition.