The Kremlin has said it may buy an Antonov An-158 jet from Ukraine for President Dmitry Medvedev.
The Kremlin's chief property manager, Vladimir Kozhinov, said in an interview with the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper that the deal was on the table.
"I have seen the new plane myself, I have been onboard," Kozhinov said. "It suits us because it is able land on any runways."
This is especially important in Russia, where "you can count airports meeting international standards on the fingers of one hand," he said.
Kozhinov dismissed speculation that the Russian leader was going to change over to foreign-made aircraft. The speculation arose after the Kremlin bought a French-made Falcon jet for Medvedev earlier this year.
A new Russian-made Tupolev Tu-214 entered Medvedev's fleet recently, Kozhinov said.
The Kremlin said earlier this year a Sukhoi Superjet 100 may also be bought for the presidential air fleet.
Russia's United Aircraft Corporation and Ukraine's Antonov civil Aircraft set up a joint venture last month.
In the first stage, the venture will manage the marketing and after-sales service of aircraft designed by Antonov.
MOSCOW, November 14 (RIA Novosti)
