Kremlin denies S-400 systems discussed in Erdogan-Putin meeting

The Kremlin has publicly refuted claims that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue of returning Russian S-400 missile defense systems during his recent meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Thursday that the topic "was not on the agenda" of the leaders' discussion on the sidelines of the International Peace and Trust Forum in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Background of the S-400 Dispute and US Sanctions

The denial addresses persistent speculation surrounding the status of the S-400 systems, which Türkiye purchased from Russia in 2017 for approximately $2.5 billion. The acquisition triggered a major diplomatic crisis with the United States, which demanded Ankara abandon the Russian technology in favor of American-made Patriot systems. When Türkiye refused, the US removed it from the multinational F-35 stealth fighter jet program and imposed sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Kremlin's Focus on Venezuela and Warning of Escalation

Shifting to another international flashpoint, Peskov used the briefing to address the escalating crisis between the United States and Venezuela. He affirmed that "Venezuela is our ally, our partner," noting recent high-level contact between Presidents Putin and Nicolás Maduro. Peskov expressed grave concern, stating, "We see an escalation of tensions in the region; we consider it potentially very dangerous." This assessment follows US threats of military action against targets in Venezuela and Caracas's request for an urgent UN Security Council meeting to address what it calls Washington's "open and criminal aggression."