Actually, that is a joint project (the D-27 engines originate with
MMPP
Salut in Moscow, don't they?). The Russians bought into it up front,
then
backed out, or appeared to, and now they say they are back
onboard...but are
reportedly a bit slow in actually living up to their end of the
financial
bargain. Why? Because they are cash-strapped, plain and simple.

There's very interesting interview with Commander of RAF (Jan 2005).
"Commander of RAF decided do not answer questions about AN-70 a/c"
Russians actually doesn't/never been interested in this a/c. Cash is
not a reason- they have cash enough for modernization of all military
forces. Not mythical money like US who is economical bankrupt but live
oil profits.