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Turkish officials insist that negotiations to purchase F-35 fighter jets from the United States are not connected to Türkiye's Russian S-400 air defense systems, dismissing media speculation linking the two issues.
"There is a lot of speculation about this topic in the media. These issues are not connected," a Turkish diplomatic source told Russian media outlet RIA Novosti on Tuesday, responding to reports that the U.S. would demand conditions regarding the S-400 systems before selling F-35s to Türkiye.
The source emphasized that the Turkish Defense Ministry has already stated there are no changes in the country's position on the S-400 systems, which remain in service with the Turkish military.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to discuss the F-35 issue with U.S. President Donald Trump during his White House visit on Sept. 25.
"Let's wait for the results," the diplomatic source said regarding the upcoming talks on defense industry cooperation between the two NATO allies.
Erdogan recently told Fox News that Türkiye has paid $1.4 billion as a partner in the F-35 program, with some aircraft nearly delivered before the sale was halted at the last minute.
"I don't think it is very becoming of a strategic partnership," Erdogan said during the interview.
Türkiye signed a contract with Russia in 2017 for S-400 systems, receiving them in the summer and fall of 2019.
In response, Washington expelled Türkiye from the F-35 program and imposed CAATSA sanctions against Turkish defense industry officials.
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The Turkish diplomatic source speaking to RIA Novosti also commented on potential Russia-Ukraine negotiations, stating that Türkiye is not currently preparing for talks in Istanbul.
"For negotiations to be held in Istanbul, the parties themselves must announce this. We are the host. At the moment, there is no preparation," the source said.
Regarding possible U.S.-Russia consultations on bilateral irritants, the source confirmed Türkiye has not received requests to host such talks.
"It's better to contact the parties directly; they determine the place and time of negotiations. We have not received such requests yet," the source told RIA Novosti.
Despite U.S. approval of F-16 fighter jet sales to Türkiye, disagreements persist over the S-400 purchase and its impact on broader defense cooperation between the NATO allies.
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