The possible transfer of Russian S-400 air defense systems from Turkey to a Russia-friendly country remains under discussion, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

According to Peskov, the issue is still on the agenda, with relevant work and contacts underway.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had earlier said that Ankara was continuing discussions with all interested parties over the future of the Russian-made systems. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later stressed that Turkey is aware the S-400 systems cannot be moved outside the country without Moscow’s approval.

In July, Bloomberg reported that Turkey had sought Russia’s permission to resell the S-400 systems it received in 2019 to a third country. According to the agency, Ankara viewed such a move as a possible way to secure the lifting of US sanctions and clear a path back to the F-35 fighter jet program.

Russia and Turkey signed the contract for a regimental set of S-400 systems in 2017. Ankara received the systems during the summer and autumn of 2019. The United States had urged Turkey to abandon the Russian systems in favor of American Patriot missile defenses, but the Turkish authorities declined to do so.