Balgarianovinite.com Following Ankara’s request for the lifting of US sanctions and a possible return to the F-35 fighter jet programme, the issue of a potential transfer of the Russian S-400 air defence systems purchased by Turkiye despite Washington’s objections has once again come to the fore.
According to the English-language newspaper Hurriyet Daily News, the systems could be sold to an unnamed Gulf country as part of efforts to find a lasting solution to the sanctions imposed by Washington over the purchase.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar have been cited among possible destinations, though no official confirmation has been made.
A report by the London-based independent news website Middle East Eye (MEE) states that Russia views favourably the possibility of selling the S-400 air defence systems to the UAE. It notes that negotiations between the parties have not yet been finalised, but Moscow is not expected to oppose the transfer of the systems to a Gulf country.
At the same time, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quoted by the pro-government newspaper Hurriyet as saying: “All I can say on this issue is that it is highly sensitive. We are in contact with the Turkish side on this matter and will continue those contacts.”
The saga surrounding Turkiye’s purchase of the Russian S-400 systems began in 2017, when Washington refused to allow Turkiye to purchase the US-made Patriot air defence systems. Ankara subsequently signed an agreement with Russia for the purchase of the S-400 system. The first components were delivered in 2019.
However, the Russian systems have never been activated and have remained in storage ever since, according to Turkish media reports.
Because of the purchase of the S-400 systems, Washington removed Turkiye from the F-35 fighter jet programme, citing concerns that the Russian system could compromise the aircraft’s security. In 2020, the United States imposed sanctions on Turkiye under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
According to diplomatic sources, a lasting solution could be found by removing the S-400 systems from Turkiye, as US legislation links both the CAATSA sanctions and the F-35 restrictions to possession of the systems. Reports also highlight end-user clauses in Turkiye’s agreement with Russia that may require Moscow’s approval for any transfer, Hürriyet Daily News notes.
Various options for the S-400 systems have been discussed in Turkiye in the past, including returning them to Russia, deploying them in the territory of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is not internationally recognised, or transferring them to another country.
Tensions with Iran have prompted increased interest in acquiring air defence systems among Gulf countries. According to reports, the United Arab Emirates is reassessing its air defence requirements following Iranian attacks targeting US bases in the Gulf region. Turkiye Considering Sale of Russian S-400 Systems as Country Seeks US Sanctions Relief 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-07-12 12:30:00 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law