This position was publicly voiced by the country's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at the site of the international strategic forum in Bled (Slovenia).
Today we need more systems [SAM] until we can produce our own. And if we can get them from the United States, we will buy the Patriots. If not, we will purchase more C-400. We are an independent country
- said the senior official.
At the same time, he pointed out that the issue of acquiring Russian Su-57 and Su-35 fighters is not discussed:
Not. Now we are entering the F-35 program
Chavushoglu severely criticized the attitude of Western countries towards the rapprochement of Ankara and Moscow. According to him, after the destruction of Su-24, "our friends from NATO" recommended establishing a dialogue with the Kremlin. Subsequently, when accusations fell due to intensified contacts with the Russian Federation, he recalled this. However, alliance colleagues only laughed in response.