A US Air Force F-35A Lightning II sits on the flight line during pre-Initial Operational Testing and Evaluation on Jan. 23, 2018, at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska (Source: US Air Force photo)

Turkish and US officials will meet in the near future to discuss F-35 jets, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Saturday, adding that preparations are underway.

Akar was quoted by the Turkish Anadolu news agency as saying, "Negotiations with the United States on the F-35 are ongoing," adding that "in the coming days, a meeting will be held in the United States to discuss the F-35 issue, preparations are underway."

On the purchase of the S-400 Russian air defense system, Akar commented that the purchase of the systems, as a result of which Turkey was removed from the F-35 program, was a necessity, not a choice.

Turkey and the United States will discuss the F-35 multirole fighter jet program during a meeting in Washington in early 2022, Akar revealed on January 3.

Regarding the recent NATO-Russia escalation over Ukraine, Turkey's Defense Minister stated that Ankara is urging both parties not to escalate the situation and refrain from any provocative behavior before the NATO-Russia conference, according to the Anadolu Agency.

Akar: S-400 will be used within NATO

On November 16, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar had confirmed that the Russian S-400 missile system is a defense system and will be used within NATO, akin to the S-300 system [operated by Greece].

In a speech before the Turkish parliament, Akar had spoken about the evaluation of alternatives in the event of US objection against Turkey's request for F-35 and F-16 fighters.

Turkey's 2019 purchase of a Russian S-400 air defense system has been an irritant on ties, prompting Washington to block Ankara's plans to buy about 100 next-generation US F-35 planes.