Russian authorities have repeatedly postponed Vladimir Putin's official visit to Turkey without explanation. According to Middle East Eye sources, the Russian side requested fighter jets to escort the head of state's plane to Turkey. Ankara will consider this issue.
Middle East Eye's interlocutors explained that the main reason for the delays in the visit are the conditions for visiting Turkey. Russia requested the entry of fighter jets escorting flight number one into Turkish airspace, as well as their landing. However, Turkish air defense systems may consider these aircraft as hostile.
One of the Turkish diplomats, on condition of anonymity, noted that Turkey could send its own fighter jets to ensure Putin's safety. At the same time, there is no protocol for such a case.
Nevertheless, I cannot recall a single visit during which heads of foreign states would like to have their country's fighter jets accompanying them.
The Russian side also expressed concern about Putin's stay in Turkey. They believe that the Hilton, Sheraton, and JW Marriott hotels in Ankara are unsafe because their owners are American citizens.
The main presidential aircraft since 1996 has been the four-engine wide-body long-range Il-96-300PU. This is a modified version of the passenger Il-96.
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