Turkey denies reports of cancelling defence system purchase from Russia

Turkey has not changed its decision to buy S-400 missile defence systems from Russia but welcomes a U.S. State Department approval of the possible purchase of a rival Patriot system from the United States, two Turkish officials said on Wednesday.

One official described the State Department decision as a good signal for Ankara's troubled relations with Washington, and Turkey was now waiting for the next U.S. step.

"Turkey has not changed the decision to buy the S-400 defence system from Russia," the official said. "As an ally, the U.S. should sell it to Turkey...but we have been waiting their approval."