At a time when Turkey wants to get rid of the S-400 missile systems provided to it by Russia, which is a condition for being able to acquire fifth-generation F-35 fighters from the United States, the Russian side has set two important conditions, claims the Turkish newspaper “Cumhuriyet“. According to a source of the publication familiar with the subject, negotiations are underway between Turkey and Russia related to the projects for the “Akkuyu“ nuclear power plant and the Blue Stream gas pipeline, BTA reported.
The publication recalls that during the NATO summit in Ankara last month, the issue of Turkey's acquisition of the F-35 was raised, and in this context, the sale of the S-400 to a third country was discussed. It was alleged that the anti-aircraft systems could be sold to a Gulf state (Qatar or the UAE), and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that talks had taken place, the publication notes.
The S-400 issue has come to the fore again after reports of the sale of ballistic missile ammunition from Turkey to Ukraine, notes “Cumhuriyet“, adding that the editorial office sent questions to the Russian embassy in Ankara regarding Moscow's current position on the resale of the S-400, but the Russian diplomatic mission has remained completely silent.
According to “Cumhuriyet“s source, in exchange for permission to get rid of the S-400 complexes, Russia has made certain demands on Turkey regarding the “Akkuyu“ nuclear power plant and the “Blue Stream“ gas pipeline under the Black Sea. Since the Blue Stream operation agreement was extended by only one year in 2025, Russia insisted on a longer-term contract. Regarding the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, given the possible financial risks surrounding the plant's 2nd, 3rd and 4th reactors, Moscow insisted on permission to transfer shares in its preferred manner. The newspaper's source summarizes that progress on the S-400 issue depends on how much Turkey will give up on these energy issues.
Regarding Turkey's official position and the latest developments on the issue, the newspaper reports that it sent a written inquiry with 7 questions related to the S-400 to the Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, to which he responded briefly that “the ministry is making the necessary assessments in accordance with national interests and that the public will be informed only when there is concrete progress“.
In early July, US President Donald Trump announced at the NATO Summit in Ankara that Turkey would be able to buy F-35 warplanes from the US. Previously, the US had imposed sanctions on Turkey and excluded it from the fifth-generation F-35 aircraft program after Ankara purchased Russian S-400 air defense systems in 2019.