Earlier, after a visit to an air show in Russia, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that Turkey may opt to buy Russia’s Su-57 fifth generation fighter, instead of the F-35, after the US kicked Ankara out of the programme earlier this year. This reported by Sputnik.

The final decision on whether to buy Russian fighter planes is now in Turkey’s hands, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov, whose portfolio includes the defence and space industries, has said.

“I hope, at any rate, that the Su-35 and Su-57 could really interest them, based on well-known events. The decision is theirs to make,” Borisov said, in an interview with Russian television on Sunday.

Commenting on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the MAKS-2019 International Air Show earlier this week, Borisov said that the air show proved an important opportunity to “present the products in person.”

On Thursday, Erdogan confirmed that Ankara was in talks with Moscow to buy Su-57s, saying Turkey would act after putting its conditions on loans and joint production on the negotiating table.