Turkey refuses to send Russian S-400s to Ukraine, as proposed by the United States

Baku/08.05.23/Turan:   Turkey has rejected a proposal from the United States to send the S-400 anti-missile defense system purchased from Russia to Ukraine, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

The US had suggested that Turkey hand control of the S-400 system over to another country, such as Ukraine, as it tries to fight off Russian forces. However, Çavuşoğlu stated that these proposals were unacceptable as they encroach on Turkish sovereignty.

Turkey signed a contract with Russia to acquire the S-400 system in 2017 after its efforts to buy an air defense system from the US proved futile. US officials expressed opposition to its deployment, arguing that it would be incompatible with NATO systems.

Turkey stated that the S-400 system would not be integrated into NATO systems and would pose no threat to the Alliance or its armaments.

Ankara is now "producing its own national combat aircraft," and it wants to improve ties with the US. Turkey also wants to buy F-16 jets and upgrade kits from the US, but the request is not progressing in Washington as fast as it should, according to Çavuşoğlu.

Ankara requested the $6 billion deal in October 2021, which was to include 40 jets and upgrade kits for 79 warplanes that the Turkish Air Force already has in its inventory.