Russia open to discussing Turkish S-400 transfer to third countries

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on September 27, 2026, during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, that Moscow is open to the possibility of Turkey transferring its S-400 air defense systems to another country. While confirming that such a prospect is being considered, Lavrov emphasized that any such move would require explicit prior approval from the Russian Federation.

Lavrov outlined that the transfer process is not a unilateral decision for Ankara and that the recipient nation must meet specific criteria. The receiving country must be recognized as acting responsibly and maintain friendly relations with Russia to ensure the systems are not diverted or used inappropriately. The Russian minister indicated that Moscow is prepared to review any formal proposals regarding such transfers on a case-by-case basis, although he refrained from providing specific details on potential candidates for such an acquisition.

The discussions follow long-standing international scrutiny over Turkey's procurement of the Russian-made missile systems, which previously caused significant friction within NATO alliances. The current situation remains open as Russia awaits formal proposals, with no immediate timeline established for any actual transfer.