S-400 vs F-35, a big blow from Ukraine to the West, Turkish President will meet Putin

Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Hakan Fidan officially confirmed the imminent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 5, without disclosing the exact date of the meeting. The visit will provide us with an opportunity to discuss many issues, the minister told state television station TRT Habré. Minister Fidan expressed hope that the visit will provide an opportunity to discuss a variety of important issues, pointing to the diplomatic agenda to be addressed by both countries during Putin’s visit. Local media have estimated February 12 as a possible date for the meeting, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s office yet to confirm the exact schedule.

First NATO member visit after 2022

If that happens, the visit would be a historic event as Turkey would become the first NATO member to host Putin since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Despite geopolitical tensions, Turkey under Erdogan has successfully maintained trade and political relations with both Ukraine and Russia, allowing Russia to avoid Western sanctions while continuing arms sales to Ukraine.

What will be the main points of discussion?

Minister Fidan outlined the priority topics on the agenda, with an emphasis on discussing energy cooperation, the ongoing war in Gaza, the Black Sea trade routes and the complex situation in Syria. Turkey and Russia find themselves on opposing sides in the Syrian conflict, especially with regard to the presence of PKK Kurdish forces in the northeastern region. The countries previously reached an agreement in 2019, but tensions remain as Turkey accuses Russia of non-compliance. Fidan’s comments during an interview with Ahbar Television come just a week after US Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland visited Turkey. He said that if there is a dispute over Ankara’s acquisition, the US can discuss the return of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. The Russian S-400 missiles have been resolved. Washington has slammed Turkey’s defense industry over its acquisition of the S-400, arguing it poses a threat to its fifth-generation F-35 warplanes.