Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said his country is not going to ask the US for permission if it decides to buy Russian fighters.
Erdogan in early September visited the MAKS 2019 air show with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was reported that he was interested in Russian SU-35 and SU-57 fighters, this topic was heard during negotiations with the President of the Russian Federation. Erdogan said that Turkey and Russia are negotiating the supply of SU-57.
“When we bought (Russian air defense systems) the S-400, did we really ask someone? Didn’t ask and buy. Therefore, if we make a decision on the acquisition, we will buy it”, – Erdogan told reporters, answering the question about the possibility of buying Russian fighters.
He noted that Turkey has repeatedly asked the United States to sell Patriot air defense systems to it, but was refused. “They referred to the congress, and since he always answered in the negative, they could not sell them to us. But you don’t sell what I need, and then you demand that I take permission from you – this is a violation of the sovereignty of the country. We’re not that a country that will allow this”, – said the Turkish leader.
He added that Turkey, as in the case of the purchase of the S-400, “will take the necessary steps if the issue with the supply of American F-35 fighters to it is not resolved”.