WASHINGTON, 21 March 2022, (TON): According to three sources familiar with the matter “the United States has informally raised with Turkey the unlikely possibility of sending its Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems to Ukraine to help it fight invading Russian forces.”

The sources told “U.S. officials have floated the suggestion over the past month with their Turkish counterparts but no specific or formal request was made.”

They said “it also came up briefly during Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman's visit to Turkey earlier this month.”

The Biden administration has been asking allies who have been using Russian made equipment and systems including S-300s and S-400s to consider transferring them to Ukraine as it tries to fend off a Russian invasion that began on Feb. 24.

The idea, which analysts said was sure to be shot down by Turkey, was part of a wider discussion between Sherman and Turkish officials about how the United States and its allies can do more to support Ukraine and on how to improve bilateral ties.