It is seeking to return the S-400 anti-aircraft systems it bought from Russia nearly a decade ago, a move that would potentially allow it to buy American-made fighters
The Turkish president raised the issue with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Turkmenistan last week, following similar discussions between officials from the two countries.
The Turkish presidency and the defense ministry declined to comment. The Kremlin denied that such a request was made during the meeting between the two leaders.
Erdogan’s move comes after increasing pressure from Washington to abandon advanced Russian technology.
Turkey’s possession of the missiles and its desire to rejoin the F-35 program were discussed during Erdogan’s meeting with Donald Trump at the White House in September.
A close ally of the US president and US ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barak, said earlier this month that Ankara was close to abandoning the S-400s, predicting that the issue could be resolved within the next four to six months.
Giving up Russian military equipment could significantly improve relations with the US, paving the way for the lifting of US sanctions against the Turkish defense industry and access to F-35 fighter jets, the same sources said. A top Turkish diplomat recently said he expects sanctions to be lifted next year.
