Turkey is currently in talks to finalize a deal with Russia for the procurement of the Russian-made S-400 defense system, the sale of which was agreed upon during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's most recent visit to Moscow earlier this month.
According to Russian newspaper Izvestia, Turkey has signaled interest in finalizing the deal. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov has said that Russia is not opposed to further collaboration on the matter and that "[b]oth sides are interested and meetings are ongoing."
According to Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu, the issue was put forth during Turkish officials' meetings with the Kremlin.
"In the case that such a deal is signed, both countries' respective Defense Ministries will coordinate on the matter," Shoygu said.
Shoygu added that this "huge", secret deal, which is the first of its kind between the two countries, will be announced by the parties concerned upon signing.
"This move signals a very strong political message to the United States and NATO. If they don't show Turkey respect, it will strengthen its ties with Russia," according to Ruslan Puhov, the head of the Strategic Analysis Center. "Arms are not always bought to be used on the battlefield. Meanwhile, this deal will strengthen Turkey's defenses, which are currently reliant on an older missile defense system. This deal will provide Turkey with a state-of-the-art missile defense system technology." Puhov said.
