© Sputnik / Alexey Nikolsky
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan have discussed the possibility of continuing cooperation in the defence industry, including on both fourth-generation Su-35 and fifth-generation Su-57 jets. He added that Turkey is interested in not only buying, but also jointly producing military products.
The Turkish president has confirmed this and said that Ankara wants to continue cooperating with Moscow in the defence industry, including on the production of jets.
The presidents of the two countries met at Russia's MAKS-2019 air show that took place in the Moscow suburbs on 27 August. Russia's cutting edge fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter jets were featured during this year's show.
On Tensions in Syria's Idlib
Putin and Erdogan also discussed the situation in Syria, including recent developments in Idlib Province. The Turkish president praised the agreements on the de-escalation zone, but said that their implementation was complicated due to the Syrian military's actions.
"In regard to the Sochi memorandum, which we signed last September, we were able to achieve relative stability. But, unfortunately, since May, the [Syrian] government troops have been bombing civilian facilities, which violated this relative calm. Unfortunately, this complicates the implementation of the Sochi memorandum", he said.
He further added that the latest developments in Idlib have started endangering Turkish troops, deployed in Syria without Damascus' consent. Erdogan noted that "all relevant steps" will be taken to avert danger to the country's forces.
President Vladimir Putin said that Russia shares Turkish concerns about the situation in Idlib, but is mostly worried about terrorist activities in this region.
"Terrorists continue to shell the positions of the Syrian government troops, try to attack Russian military facilities. The de-escalation zone should not serve as a refuge for militants and, moreover, a springboard for new attack", Putin said.
Responding to ongoing shelling, coming from the territory of Idlib, the Syrian Army earlier in August launched an offensive and secured control over the town of Khan Sheikhoun and number of other settlements in Idlib and the north of Hama Province.
As to Putin, and the concerns that there have been attempts on his flights (such as the theory that MH17 was hoping to shoot down Putin's plane, plus another theory, I think; I don't know the details - I certainly trust his Secret Service to protect him better than, say, the SS did for JFK on 11/22/63. I likewise hope they have parachutes, etc. Whether it ever was attempted or not, Putin didn't need any such 'scared into seeing the light' inspiration to put his country first.
Now if only America would put America first; and forget about our saving Israel's ass and paying them trillions? They've got beau coup nukes; what do they need our money for, on top of that? To kill more ghettoized Palestinians? (Who are, contra Ashkenazim, a true 'Semitic People/Race'?)
R.C.