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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on the European Union's alleged idea to purchase Russian S-400 air defense systems from Türkiye and send them to Ukraine, stating that "Ankara has obligations to Moscow on these systems."
Lavrov made the remarks during an ambassadorial roundtable on the settlement in Ukraine on Thursday, recalling that Russia had supplied Türkiye with the S-400 air defense system several years ago.
"And the Republic of Türkiye owns these systems to the displeasure of the West, including the displeasure of the United States.
And the United States, aware of Ankara's interest in buying F-35 fighter jets, conditioned the delivery of these aircraft on Türkiye's rejection of the S-400 anti-aircraft systems," Lavrov stated.
"This has long been 'floating' in the media space," he added.
Lavrov criticized the European Union's reported proposal regarding the Russian air defense systems.
"Yesterday it was suddenly announced that Europe, the European Union—of course, they do not know any other Europe, decided to buy the S-400 from Türkiye, or offered Türkiye to buy these S-400s and send them to Ukraine," Lavrov stated.
Lavrov emphasized Ankara's legal responsibilities regarding the systems, stating that: "No one even thinks that Türkiye as a buyer has an obligation not to take such steps without the consent of the Russian Federation."
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Reports emerged early Thursday claiming the European Union is discussing the idea of purchasing Russian S-400 anti-aircraft and missile systems from Türkiye and transferring them to Ukraine, according to an informed diplomatic source who spoke to Russian media outlet RIA Novosti.
"Not so long ago, an idea arose on the sidelines of how to elegantly help Türkiye resolve its conflict with the United States, which was still very unhappy with the fact that a NATO ally acquired Russian weapons," the source told the Russian media outlet.
"This idea is for the European Union to buy the S-400 from Türkiye," the source added.
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