U.S. suggested Turkey transfer Russian-made missile system to Ukraine

WASHINGTON, March 19 (Reuters) – The US has informally raised with Turkey the unlikely risk of sending its Russian-made S-400 missile protection programs to Ukraine to assist it battle invading Russian forces, in keeping with three sources conversant in the matter.

U.S. officers have floated the suggestion over the previous month with their Turkish counterparts however no particular or formal request was made, the sources informed Reuters. They mentioned it additionally got here up briefly throughout Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman’s go to to Turkey earlier this month.

The Biden administration has been asking allies who’ve been utilizing Russian made gear and programs together with S-300s and S-400s to contemplate transferring them to Ukraine because it tries to fend off a Russian invasion that started on Feb. 24. learn extra

The concept, which analysts mentioned was positive to be shot down by Turkey, was a part of a wider dialogue between Sherman and Turkish officers about how america and its allies can do extra to assist Ukraine and on how you can enhance bilateral ties.

The Turkish authorities haven’t commented on any U.S. suggestion or proposal referring to the switch to Ukraine of Ankara’s S-400 programs, which have been a degree of long-standing rivalry between the 2 NATO allies.

Turkish overseas ministry officers weren’t instantly out there for remark.

Turkish sources and analysts mentioned any such suggestion can be a non-starter for Turkey, citing points starting from technical hurdles associated to putting in and working the S-400s in Ukraine, to political issues such because the blowback Ankara would doubtless face from Moscow.

Washington has repeatedly requested Ankara to do away with the Russian-built surface-to-air missile batteries for the reason that first supply arrived in July 2019. The US has imposed sanctions on a Turkey’s defence business and eliminated NATO member Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet programme because of this.

Ankara has mentioned it was pressured to go for the S-400s as a result of allies didn’t present weapons on passable phrases.

U.S. officers are eager to grab this second to attract Turkey again into Washington’s orbit. Efforts to seek out “artistic” methods to enhance the strained relationship have accelerated in current weeks, despite the fact that no particular proposal has to this point gained traction, U.S. and Turkish sources have mentioned.

“I believe everybody is aware of that the S-400 has been a protracted standing difficulty and maybe this can be a second once we can work out a brand new solution to resolve this downside,” Sherman informed Turkish broadcaster Haberturk in an interview on March 5.

It was not clear what precisely she meant and the State Division has not answered questions on her feedback. The White Home didn’t reply to a request for remark concerning the suggestion made throughout her go to to Turkey.

The trouble can be a part of a wider bid by the Biden administration to reply to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s plea to assist shield Ukraine’s skies. Russian or Soviet-made air protection programs resembling S-300s that different NATO allies have and S-400s are wanted.

One supply conversant in U.S. considering mentioned Washington’s floating of the likelihood got here because of the renewed effort to enhance ties at a time when Ankara has been spooked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Turkish President Erdogan had not acquired a selected heads up from Russian President Vladimir Putin on his plans of a full-scale assault on Ukraine, one other supply conversant in the discussions mentioned.

Turkey shares a maritime border with Ukraine and Russia within the Black Sea and has good ties with each. It has mentioned the invasion is unacceptable and voiced assist for Ukraine, however has additionally opposed sanctions on Moscow whereas providing to mediate.

Ankara has rigorously formulated its rhetoric to not offend Moscow, analysts say, with which it has shut vitality, defence and tourism ties. However Ankara has additionally bought navy drones to Kyiv and signed a deal to co-produce extra, angering the Kremlin. Turkey additionally opposes Russian insurance policies in Syria and Libya, in addition to its 2014 annexation of Crimea.

“Turkey has managed to stroll on the razor’s edge and a switch of a Russian S-400 will surely result in extreme Russian ire,” mentioned Aaron Stein, director of analysis on the Philadelphia-based Overseas Coverage Analysis Institute. “And for Erdogan, the S-400 has turn out to be an emblem of Turkish sovereignty, so buying and selling it away would not be all roses and flowers.”

Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Extra reporting by Phil Stewart and Steve Holland; Enhancing by Daniel Wallis

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Rules.