The news was delivered by Turkish state media. The outlet claimed Turkish defence and foreign affairs ministries are in talks with the US over the purchase of US Patriot missiles. They were holding the talks with officials from a US delegation, according to the reports.
Turkey had initially planned to buy an S-400 anti-aircraft missile system from Russia, despite warnings from the US and Nato allies it could pose security risks if integrated with Western systems.
During a fringe panel discussion at a Nato summit in July 2018, Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu claimed he had chosen to purchase the system from Russia because he could not obtain a similar one from allies in the West.
Mr Çavuşoğlu said: “I tried to buy from my allies.
“I wanted to buy from the US for the last 10 years, it didn’t work.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
READ MORE: World War 3 fears as Turkey begins MILITARY OPERATIONS
“I couldn’t buy from Nato allies, so Russia gave me the best proposal and now I’m buying from Russia.”
The S-400 can allegedly protect against ballistic missiles and stealth aircraft, including that used by Nato allies such as the F-35 aircraft.
Experts have noted the Turkish decision to pay for the system in Russian rubles instead of dollars.
Political analyst Rahim Rahimov wrote for the Wilson Center in April: “Ankara and Moscow finalised the $2.5billion (£2billion) Russian-Turkish agreement on the purchase of S-400s in 2017.
READ MORE: Turkey recession IMMINENT? Fears ignite as economic growth SLOWS
“Under the agreement, Turkey is to pay 45 percent of the cost up front, while Russia is to provide a loan to cover the remaining 55 percent.
“A striking point of the deal is that the loan will be issued in Russian rubles, not US dollars—the first time Turkey has taken such a step, according to Erdogan.”
The US has warned Turkey it could be subject to bruising economic sanctions if it goes ahead with the purchase.
US ally India has already cancelled plans to purchase the S-400 due to concern over US sanctions.
Trump’s administration has already slapped sanctions on China over its purchase of the S-400.