Türkiye, US Discuss ‘Creative Ideas’ to Lift S-400 Sanctions, Fidan Says

Türkiye and the United States are discussing what Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described as “creative ideas” aimed at resolving a dispute over US sanctions imposed on Ankara following its purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems.

Fidan said on Saturday that officials from both countries were working on possible ways to address the issue, while expressing hope that the discussions would lead to positive steps.

Speaking to Turkish broadcaster NTV, Fidan did not provide details about the proposals under discussion. He said Ankara and Washington were continuing talks and that efforts were focused on finding a way forward on the long-running disagreement.

The dispute dates back to Türkiye’s decision to acquire the Russian-made S-400 air defense system, a move that Washington strongly opposed because of concerns about the system’s compatibility with NATO defenses and potential risks to US military technology.

The United States imposed sanctions on Türkiye in 2020 under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, known as CAATSA. The measures targeted Türkiye’s Presidency of Defense Industries and several senior officials.

Washington also removed Türkiye from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program following the S-400 purchase. Türkiye had been involved in the multinational program and had planned to acquire the US-made stealth fighter jets.

The S-400 dispute has remained one of the most difficult issues in relations between the two NATO allies. Ankara has maintained that it needed the Russian system because it had been unable to secure an air defense arrangement that met its requirements from Western allies.

In July, Turkish media reported that Türkiye could consider reselling its S-400 systems to a Gulf country as part of efforts to resolve the dispute and potentially clear the way for the United States to approve the sale of F-35 aircraft to Ankara.

The reports did not result in an announced agreement, and details about any possible Gulf buyer have not been publicly confirmed.

Russia said at the time that it remained in contact with Türkiye over the S-400 issue. Moscow has supplied the missile systems to Ankara under a deal that became a major source of tension between Türkiye and the United States.

Fidan’s latest comments indicate that the S-400 issue remains under discussion between Ankara and Washington as Türkiye seeks to improve defense ties with its NATO ally. Any agreement would need to address the US concerns surrounding the Russian systems while also taking into account Türkiye’s defense requirements and its broader relations with Russia.