US and Turkey Near Resolution on S-400 Sanctions Dispute

Middle East-focused outlets present the US envoy’s comments as a sign that Washington and Ankara are edging toward a compromise on the S-400 dispute. They stress that US officials want to keep Turkey firmly inside NATO’s defence system while managing its ties with Russia and its tense relationship with Israel. They expect a gradual easing of sanctions tied to concrete steps by Turkey on how it deploys or uses the S-400s.

• •US envoy Jeffry Flake signals that Washington is ready to settle the S-400 sanctions issue with Turkey in the near term.
• •US officials want to avoid treating Turkey as an isolated regional rival like Iran despite frictions with Israel.
• •Turkish leaders are expected to keep the S-400s but may limit their activation or integration to address US concerns.
• •A sanctions deal could reopen some defence trade, though full F-35 participation for Turkey is unlikely in the short run.
• •Regional commentators expect any compromise to balance Turkey’s NATO role with its desire for independent defence choices.