Turkey considers returning S-400 system to Russia — Bloomberg

Turkey is considering returning the Russian-made S-400 air defence system in an effort to mend ties with the United States and rejoin the F-35 fighter jet programme, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.

According to the report, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Turkmenistan. The Kremlin, however, has denied that Ankara made such a request.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, a close ally of President Donald Trump, said Ankara was moving closer to abandoning the S-400 system and that a solution could be found within four to six months.

Sources said giving up the Russian air defence system could lead to the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Turkey’s defence industry and clear the way for its return to the F-35 programme.

Turkey is also seeking to recover billions of dollars spent on the S-400, potentially through offsets linked to payments for Russian oil and gas. The political and diplomatic benefits of abandoning the system are seen as outweighing its financial cost, sources said.

N.Tebrizli