The Russian government views the potential sale of S-400 air defence systems currently operated by Turkey to the United Arab Emirates in a “positive light”, multiple sources familiar with the issue told Middle East Eye, while cautioning that negotiations have yet to be completed.

The Russian S-400 systems, purchased by Turkey in 2019, have been a major headache for Ankara. The acquisition led to Turkey’s removal from the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jet programme and triggered a series of US sanctions on Turkey’s defence industry.

The US still holds six of the jets in storage, as their transfer to Turkey was also blocked by US legislation in 2020.

As the US and Turkey repair relations following Donald Trump’s return to office in 2025, the S-400 issue, and Turkey’s possible return to the F-35 programme, have become crucial topics of discussion.

However, one European investor told MEE that there were also underlying tensions between the UAE and Russia over Moscow’s support for Iran during the war, as Tehran has been sending drones and ballistic missiles into the Gulf country.