Russia has indicated it views a potential sale of S-400 air defence systems currently operated by Turkey to the United Arab Emirates in a favorable light, according to multiple sources cited by Middle East Eye (MEE), though the outlet reported that negotiations have not yet been finalized.
The S-400 systems, which Turkey purchased from Russia in 2019, led to Turkey's expulsion from the F-35 fighter jet programme and prompted a series of US sanctions targeting Turkey's defence industry. Six F-35 jets remain in US storage after their transfer to Turkey was blocked by American legislation in 2020.
According to MEE, the S-400 issue and Turkey's potential return to the F-35 programme have become central topics of discussion as Washington and Ankara have worked to repair relations since Donald Trump returned to office in 2025. Under the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, the US government must confirm that Turkey no longer possesses the S-400 systems before Turkey can receive the F-35 jets, and the law also sets tighter conditions for lifting the sanctions Trump imposed on Turkey in 2019.
MEE reported that one option under discussion involved disabling the S-400s by removing key components and storing them securely in coordination with Washington, but this approach was ultimately judged insufficient, since it could only secure a sanctions waiver rather than full termination.
Sources described to MEE said Russian and Turkish officials have been discussing the resale of the systems to the UAE for several months. The Kremlin confirmed on Friday that it was in talks with Turkey regarding a sale to a third country, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling the matter highly sensitive and stating that consultations would continue.
A Russian source told MEE that Moscow's response to Turkey's proposal was essentially positive, though some details still needed to be resolved and a final decision would rest with President Vladimir Putin. The source added that if the UAE proceeds with the purchase, it would be important for Russia to ensure full compliance with the terms of its original contract with Ankara.
Turkish sources noted to MEE that the UAE already operates Russian-made air defence systems such as the Pantsir, and has been diversifying its weapons procurement from multiple countries to bolster its overall defence capabilities. However, a European investor told the outlet that underlying tensions exist between the UAE and Russia over Moscow's support for Iran during the recent war, given Tehran's launching of drones and ballistic missiles into the Gulf.
MEE noted that any such sale would fall outside the scope of US sanctions, since the transaction would take place between Turkey and the UAE rather than directly involving Russia. Sources also told the outlet that Moscow had previously declined to take back the Turkish-operated systems, contrary to earlier reports.
According to MEE, a planned Turkish announcement on Friday disclosing that Ankara had begun talks to sell the systems to a third country was cancelled, with a source declining to specify the reasons. The outlet added that Russia's motivation for permitting such a move remains unclear, with sources in Ankara speculating that Moscow could seek concessions from Turkey in return — potentially including the long-stalled renewal of a key gas deal between the two countries.
Photo: Gemini