Russia ready to seal another S-400 deal with Turkey

Duvar English

Russia expects Turkey's final decision delivery of second batch of S-400 missile defense systems

Turkey has the right to vie for a new agreement on an additional supply of S-400 missile defense systems and Russia will subsequently be ready to deliver, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov told reporters on June 24.

"They [Turkey] have the right to do so, if they express a desire, we will seal [the deal]," Borisov said, answering a question about the possibility of Turkey acquiring additional Russian armament before year's end.

On June 2 the head of the Russian Federal Service of Military-Technical Cooperation, Dmitry Shugayev, said that Moscow is awaiting Ankara's final decision on the delivery of the second batch of S-400s.

Ankara has been at odds with its NATO ally the U.S. since it struck the S-400 deal. The U.S. attempted to put pressure on its ally and force Turkey to cancel the deal; however, Ankara refused to make concessions and received the first deliveries from Russia in 2019.

Turkish Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın said in May that the government is committed "in principle" to its plans to activate the system, despite a lag caused by the COVID-19 health crisis.

"There were delays because of the coronavirus but in principle, we're loyal to our agreement on S-400s just like we were previously," Kalın said in an interview with France 24 on May 26, adding that Turkey is open to negotiations with the United States if it agrees to send Patriot missiles.

Turkey 'loyal to S-400 agreement with Russia'