ISTANBUL, May 19 (WNM staff/Newswires) - Turkey wants to maitain close relationsships with the U.S. and at the same time deepen military cooperation with Russia: Turkey will get American F-35 fighter jets and purchase Russian S-400, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said at a fast-breaking dinner attended by representatives of youth organizations at the historical Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul on May 18, according to Anadolu.

"Sooner or later, we will receive the delivery of the F-35s, their equipment, and S-400s, too, will come to our country," Erdogan said in Istanbul, where he met with young people.

stated that Turkey will produce S-500 anti-aircraft missile systems in cooperation with Russia, Reuters reported.

According to the agency, Erdogan also confirmed that the purchase of the S-400 systems will go completed: “There is absolutely no question of stepping back on the S-400 issue. It’s a done deal,” Erdogan said.

According to Haberturk newspaper, Erdogan announced that Turkey had sent 100 engineers to Russia to help make the weapons.

He noted that Turkey intends to receive the US’ F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft. “But sooner or later, we will receive the F-35s,” Erdogan said.

In early May, Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov stated that Russia values the development of technologic partnership with Turkey in air defense. “We will welcome the Turkish side’s wish to become a partner in the S-500 project,” he noted.