ANKARA — Russia has given its approval for the transfer of Turkey’s Russian-made S-400 air defense systems to the United Arab Emirates, according to a Gulf journalist who spoke to Straturka, a development that sheds new light on the recent visit of the UAE Crown Prince to Moscow. The Kremlin confirmed Friday that Türkiye and Russia had discussed the potential sale of the S-400 to a third country, though it stopped short of confirming final approval. A separate source familiar with the matter told Straturka that roughly 80 percent of the system has been sold to the UAE, with the arrangement structured to keep the system under U.S. supervision — a condition understood to be central to satisfying Washington’s sanctions requirements.
Israeli media outlets have independently reported the same outcome, corroborating Straturka’s sourcing on the UAE as the buyer. The reports, taken together, suggest the long-stalled effort to remove the S-400 from Turkish territory — a precondition Washington has set for lifting CAATSA sanctions and reconsidering Turkey’s return to the F-35 program — may be nearing resolution after years of deadlock.
If confirmed officially, the sale would mark a significant turning point in U.S.-Turkey defense relations, following President Trump’s pledge last week at the NATO summit in Ankara to lift sanctions and revisit F-35 access. It would also underscore the UAE’s growing appetite for additional air defense capability amid heightened regional tensions following the recent Iran-Israel confrontation. Ankara, Abu Dhabi, and Moscow have yet to issue formal statements confirming the deal.
