Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hosted his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan for talks expected to focus on the situation in Syria, the sale of Russian missiles to Turkey and other economic deals.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Greeting Erdogan at the start of their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Putin said they will discuss the delivery of Russia's most advanced S-400 air defence missile systems to Turkey, a move that has vexed the US government, Turkey's NATO partner.
Turkey's purchase of the Russian missiles marked the first such contract for a NATO member.
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Turkey has ignored US demands to abandon the agreement, and Erdogan said on Friday that deliveries of the S-400s will begin in July.
The Turkish leader noted that Washington had offered Ankara the US-made Patriot air defence system, but said the US offer is not as favourable as Russia's.
The US and other NATO allies say the S-400s aren't compatible with the alliance's weapons systems.
Washington has voiced concerns that their use by Turkey could compromise security of the state-of-the art US F-35 fighter jets that Turkey stands to receive.
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Last week, US Vice President Mike Pence warned Turkey that it was risking its NATO membership and its participation in the F-35 program by failing to cancel the missile contract with Russia.
Putin and Erdogan said in remarks at the talks that they will also discuss the completion of a pipeline that will carry Russian gas to Turkey, the planned construction of a major electric plant and other economic projects.
Erdogan said the number of Russian tourists who visited Turkey last year reached 6 million, a record high.
Putin and Erdogan have developed a close personal rapport and held regular meetings.
The Russian president said Monday's talks will help deepen the "advanced, multi-faceted partnership" between the two countries.
