The Kremlin denied US media reports claiming Türkiye plans to return its S-400 air defense systems to Russia to rejoin the F-35 fighter jet program. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the issue was not discussed during the December 12 meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, adding it is not on Moscow’s agenda.
Peskov also said Russia remains in close contact with ally Venezuela amid rising tensions with the United States and called for restraint in the region. Separately, he confirmed upcoming contacts with US officials to discuss developments involving Europe and Ukraine.