Turkey is exploring a major move: offering to return its Russian-made S-400 air-defence systems to Russia as it tries to repair ties with Washington and other NATO partners, a step that could reduce one of the biggest obstacles to Turkey’s re-entry into the F-35 fighter jet program.

The idea is linked to broader diplomacy involving President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Bloomberg reports that Erdoğan raised the S-400 issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin during talks in Turkmenistan, following earlier discussions between officials from both countries. Turkish sources cited by Bloomberg say the Kremlin denied that such an offer was made during the meeting.

US-Turkish tensions over the S-400 have been ongoing since Turkey received the systems in the years after purchasing them from Russia. Washington removed Turkey from the F-35 program in 2019, and imposed sanctions afterward under US law related to the acquisition of Russian defence technology. The US has signaled that it wants the S-400 removed from Turkey—because keeping the system is viewed as incompatible with US and NATO aircraft and security requirements.

The reported move also connects to US pressure and negotiations over Turkey’s interest in regaining access to advanced US military technology, including the F-35. Bloomberg reporting via local outlets says some Turkish officials believe abandoning the S-400 could help unlock sanctions relief and improve the prospects of rejoining the F-35 program.

Separate reporting also frames the situation as a continuing negotiation: US officials and Turkish officials have discussed the possibility of resolving the dispute in a defined timeframe, contingent on Turkey giving up the S-400.

Finally, the S-400 question is being discussed alongside Turkey’s broader desire to restore its position inside Western defence pathways—while managing its close relationship with Russia and its standing within NATO—making the outcome less about the hardware itself and more about whether the US can be convinced that Turkey can re-enter Western programs without security and interoperability concerns.