A notable diplomatic development has emerged between Russia and Türkiye over a possible arms transfer to Ukraine. Russia’s Foreign Ministry requested statements from Ankara and Washington regarding possible transfers from Türkiye to Ukraine that were raised in the US Congress.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on August 15 that Moscow had taken action after information emerged in the US Congress.
Interfax reported that Zakharova said Russia’s Foreign Ministry had requested statements from both Washington and Ankara on the matter.
Tens of thousands of munitions are under discussion
The issue concerns the possible retransfer to Ukraine of US-linked weapons and munitions that have been held in Türkiye’s inventory for a long time.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in information published on August 11 that Türkiye had requested authorization to retransfer from the US to Ukraine tens of thousands of rockets, missiles and artillery shells containing cluster munitions.
HRW said the munitions had been in Türkiye’s inventory for decades and contained more than 10 million explosive submunitions in total. The organization said some of the munitions had also been produced in Türkiye under US licenses that began in 1987.
The issue therefore involves more than a possible defense transfer between Türkiye and Ukraine. Because the weapons are US-origin or linked to US licenses, Washington’s approval is also a key part of the process.
Moscow reacts to the development
Russia’s Foreign Ministry directly requested statements from Ankara and Washington after the possible transfers came to light.
Zakharova argued that a possible shipment would not significantly alter the overall course of Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. However, Moscow’s decision to raise the issue with both Türkiye and the US through diplomatic channels showed that it was being closely followed in the context of Russia-Türkiye relations as well.
Türkiye gives its first response on August 16
The latest development came from Ankara on August 16, 2026.
A report in Russian media citing a source in the administration of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the Turkish side was unaware of Russia’s request for a statement on the matter.
In response to a question about the alleged application by Russia to Ankara regarding arms transfer plans, the source said they had no information about such a request. The presidential representative did not answer additional questions about Türkiye’s position on a possible arms transfer.
Following Moscow’s statement on August 15, the issue therefore took on a new dimension on August 16 with Ankara’s first assessment.
A critical issue for Türkiye-Russia relations
The development is also significant because of Ankara’s balancing policy throughout the Russia-Ukraine war.
Türkiye has continued its defense ties with Ukraine while keeping diplomatic and economic channels open with Russia. Ankara has also called on Russia and Ukraine to reduce hostilities in the Black Sea.
Most recently, Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s proposal for a moratorium on military activities in the Black Sea had also come onto Moscow’s agenda. Russia’s Foreign Ministry described Türkiye as “an important regional actor and a neighbor in the Black Sea,” while stating that it had not yet received an official proposal from Ankara on the matter.
A new large-scale arms transfer to Ukraine through Türkiye or from Türkiye’s inventory could therefore become a sensitive issue in Ankara-Moscow relations.
Attention is now focused on the response Ankara and Washington will provide to Russia’s request for a statement through official diplomatic channels and on whether the arms transfer under discussion will take place.
