Russia says it will continue to take part in the International Space Station project until 2028 -- an extension from its earlier withdrawal plan.

The head of Russia's state space corporation Roscosmos, Yuri Borisov, referred to the change of heart in a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

The country had said last July that it would pull out of the ISS program in 2024 or later. It also said the timing would depend on the development of its own space station.

The latest decision comes as some Russian officials engaged in the country's space development have indicated that construction of the Russian space station will not start until 2028 or later.

Roscosmos estimates the construction cost at 600 billion rubles, or 7.3 billion dollars, and says a rough blueprint for the facility is expected to be ready this summer.

Putin said the station will be used to prepare for the country's lunar exploration program.