Report: US asked Turkey to hand over S-400s to Ukraine

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The US has informally asked Turkey to hand over its S-400 surface to air missile systems to Ukraine, Reuters reported, citing "sources familiar with the matter."

The request was made in the talks between officials from Ankara and Washington in February, according to the report. It was also brought up during US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman's visit to Turkey earlier this month.

Turkey's purchase of the missiles from Russia has caused problems with the US over the past four years, with Washington imposing sanctions on Ankara.

While Turkey's Foreign Ministry had not responded to a request for comment, "sources and analysts" from Turkey said it was unlikely that Ankara would accept such a demand, Reuters reported.

The US has also asked its other allies possessing arms made by Russia to hand over them to Ukraine amid the country's invasion, according to the agency.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which started on February 24, has drawn international condemnation and led to financial restrictions on Moscow.

At least 780 civilians have been killed and 1,252 injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the war, according to the UN, which has said that conditions on the ground make it difficult to verify the true number.

Arousnd 3.2 million people have also fled to neighboring countries, said the UN refugee agency.

(HA/VK)