Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday criticized his country's pressure not to acquire nuclear weapons.

"Some countries have nuclear warhead missiles, but I am forbidden to get them. I do not accept that," he said in a speech in the eastern city of Sivas.

He pointed out that there is almost no developed country in the world currently does not have missiles with nuclear warheads.

"Look at what they are racing! But they tell us, beware, don't do it. There is Israel near us."

Turkey has no nuclear weapons and has been committed to the NPT since 1980.

Erdogan's statement comes as his country strengthens its defense ties with Russia at the expense of the United States, NATO's historic ally.

Erdogan hinted on Friday that his country may buy fighter jets from Moscow after Washington excluded them from the F-35 program because of the Russian air defense system S-400 purchased by Ankara.

Ankara has ordered the purchase of more than 100 F-35s, but US officials said this was inconsistent with the purchase of Russia's S-400, and expressed concern that US technological data could be jeopardized.