Turkey's talks with Russia on the purchase of the advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile defence system have reached the "final stage", but this does not mean the signing of a deal is imminent, Turkey’s Defence Minister Hilmi Isik said on April 21, Reuters reported.
Turkey clearly needs such a missile defence system but Nato member countries are yet to present a financially attractive offer for the delivery of their alternative hardware, Isik told a news conference in Ankara.
In 2015, Turkey cancelled a controversial long-range missile system deal with China Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp (CPMIEC).
Ankara started talks with China on the $3.4bn missile system in September 2013, but opted not to sign the final deal after Nato allies expressed concern over Ankara’s plans to buy the Chinese system, citing security and compatibility problems.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has, meanwhile, confirmed reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are to meet in Sochi on May 3. They will discuss the Syria conflict, news agencies reported Peskov as saying.
Don’t just follow the news—understand it.
The IntelliNews PRO service includes access to reports, exclusive market data, and more news that decision-makers care about. Stay ahead of the market with IntelliNews PRO.
Sign Up NowRelated Articles
Japan’s JERA signs 20-year LNG deal with Petronas
Japanese energy firm JERA has inked a 20-year sales and purchase agreement with Malaysia’s state-run Petronas, the Tokyo headquartered company announced on June 10. The deal will see JERA ... more
Russia's Ozon swings to profit on EBITDA growth, fintech expansion in Q1 2026
Russia's Ozon Group (MOEX: OZON) reported a net profit of RUB4.5bn ($54.7mn) for the first quarter of 2026, against a net loss of RUB7.9bn in the same period last year, the e-commerce group said in ... more
Russia boosts Mali military support as Africa Corps replaces Wagner
Russia has delivered new shipments of heavy military equipment to Mali as the Kremlin replaces the Wagner Group’s semi-private model with the more tightly controlled Africa Corps, according to The ... more