❗️Russia says Turkiye’s S-400 relocation now 'on the agenda'

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that work was underway to relocate Russian-made S-400 missile-defense systems from Turkiye to another country, a move that could potentially clear the way for Ankara to rejoin the US F-35 fighter jet program.

Turkiye purchased the S-400 systems from Russia in 2017. The acquisition drew criticism from fellow NATO members and prompted the US to sanction Turkiye under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), while also blocking Ankara from obtaining F-35s it had already paid for.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that Moscow could approve transferring the systems to another country. “There is such a possibility when a country where these S-400 systems will be moved to is responsible and maintains friendly relations with Russia,” Lavrov said, according to state-run TASS. “We will be ready to transfer the S-400s to such a country when there is a request,” he added.

Asked by AFP about Lavrov’s remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that the proposal was “on the agenda.” “Relevant work is being done and appropriate contacts are taking place,” Peskov said.