Turkey plans to transfer Russian S-400 air defense systems to one of the Gulf countries. Ankara is making this decision to get rid of US sanctions imposed after the purchase of Russian air defense systems in 2019. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine citing the Turkish publication Hürriyet.
Agreement already finalized
According to journalists, the details of the deal have been fully settled, and the last obstacles were removed last night. An official announcement of the sale may follow soon. Among the likely buyers are the United Arab Emirates or Qatar.
Triple benefit for Ankara
The sale of S-400s will be a key condition for the lifting of US sanctions. To this end, US President Donald Trump must send a special letter to Congress. In exchange for the transfer of the systems, Turkey expects three important results:
- Lifting of existing economic and military restrictions.
- Supply of engines for Turkish fifth-generation KAAN fighters.
- Resumption of the ability to acquire F-35 aircraft.
Washington previously excluded Turkey from the international F-35 development and supply program precisely because of the purchase of Russian S-400s. Now, according to Trump, "it is time to do this" — he has already stated his readiness to review the sanctions policy towards Ankara.
New mechanism for challenging sanctions
The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has launched a special online portal. Through it, one can submit an appeal for exclusion from sanctions lists or check existing restrictions. This opens a formal path for the legalization of Turkey's status in the eyes of Washington.
