In a major geopolitical development, a senior US diplomat has claimed that Turkey is preparing to completely phase out the Russian-made S-400 air defence system a move that could potentially reset Ankara’s strained relationship with Washington. The claim comes just as Russian President Vladimir Putin wrapped up his India visit, adding fresh attention to shifting global alliances.
US Ambassador Says Deal Could Be Settled ‘Within Months’
Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and a close ally of President Donald Trump, made the remarks during a conference in Abu Dhabi. When asked directly whether Turkey was abandoning the S-400, he responded with a single word: “Yes.”
Barrack said he was confident the long-standing dispute between Ankara and Washington would be resolved in the next four to six months. His comments indicate the strongest public signal yet that Turkey may be ready to undo one of the most contentious military decisions it made in the last decade.
How the S-400 Deal Triggered a Crisis
Turkey first signed a $2.5 billion agreement with Russia in 2017 to acquire the S-400 system. Moscow delivered the system in 2019. From the start, the US warned that the advanced Russian radar technology was incompatible with NATO defence platforms especially America’s next-generation F-35 fighter jets.
Washington insisted the two systems could not operate side-by-side without risking sensitive F-35 data falling into Russian hands. As a result, Turkey was expelled from the F-35 programme and hit with sanctions under the CAATSA law. The decision caused a deep rupture in US-Turkey ties.
Turkey ‘Not Using’ the System, Says US Envoy
Barrack claimed that although Turkey possesses the S-400, it is currently not operating the system. Even so, the system’s mere presence remains a major sticking point for the United States.
According to Barrack, Ankara now understands that removing the S-400 is the only path to restoring defence cooperation with the West. Turkey had already paid $1.4 billion in advance for F-35 jets, but the US never issued a refund. Ankara has repeatedly expressed interest in returning to the programme.
Balancing Russia and the West
Turkey continues to buy natural gas and oil from Russia, leaving Ankara walking a tightrope between Moscow and NATO allies. Experts say that dismantling or removing the S-400 would send a strong message to Russia that Turkey is prioritising its Western partnerships.
At the same time, Turkey wants to strengthen its role within NATO a goal that would be nearly impossible unless the S-400 issue is resolved.
Barrack also commented on rising tensions between Turkey and Israel, downplaying the situation as ‘political noise,’ and predicting that both nations would eventually return to cooperation.
If Turkey indeed abandons the S-400 system in the coming months, it could mark one of the most significant realignments in recent US-Turkey relations, potentially reopening the doors to the coveted F-35 fleet and reshaping Turkey’s defence posture for the future.
