Moscow to accelerate delivery of S-400 system to Turkey

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW

Moscow will accelerate the delivery of the Russian air defense system S-400 to Turkey, according to Kremlin press office on Monday.

Revealing the agenda of the seventh meeting of High-level Russian-Turkish Cooperation Council at a news conference in Moscow, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov said: "Much attention will be given to international affairs and military cooperation, also here is a famous topic -- delivery of Russian air defence system S-400 to Turkey -- other questions concerning military exchange."

Ushakov confirmed that Russia would accelerate the delivery of S-400 at the request of Turkey.

"Necessary efforts will be made from our side to satisfy the request of the Turkish side," he said.

He added that delivery of Turkish tomatoes to Russia would also likely be among topics on the agenda of Erdogan and Putin meeting.

About Turkish Stream pipeline construction, Ushakov said "it is progressing on schedule".

Regarding the upcoming trilateral summit in Turkish capital Ankara, the presidential aide said Turkish, Russian and Iranian leaders are expected to make a joint statement.

In this statement, they will point out their support to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria, he added.

"Presidents are suggested to synchronize watches regarding implementation of the UN resolution 2401 regarding nationwide cease-fire and improvement of the humanitarian situation in this country," he said.

"The heads of states will assess the current situation, additional steps could be taken to strengthen cease-fire and to ensure the functioning of the de-escalation zones."

American President Donald Trump has offered Russian President Vladimir Putin to hold a meeting in Washington, Ushakov added.

"When presidents talked on the phone [on March 20], Trump offered to hold a meeting in Washington, in the White House. After that, another setback occurred in our bilateral relations - the expulsion of 60 diplomats, closure of the Consulate General. For this reason, after March 20 this question didn't come up," he said.

The possibility of such a contact in the first half of the year was not discussed, Ushakov noted.

Nevertheless, Russia expects that one day Russian-American relations can improve, Ushakov concluded.

Commenting on the matter, the White House confirmed Trump offered to meet Putin at a number of venues, including the White House.

Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the White House has no additional comment "at this time".

*Michael Hernandez contributed to this report from Washington