Putin and Erdogan discuss growing bilateral economic cooperation

The Kremlin’s press service said in a statement that special attention was paid to intensifying economic exchange, including measures to improve the legal framework and increase trade.

The text published on the website of the Russian presidency confirmed that the leaders also considered activities to ensure gas supplies from the Eurasian country to Turkey.

They also touched on resolving the crisis in Syria, and highlighted the importance of continuing the peace negotiations in the Astana format (Russia, Turkey and Iran).

In the dialogue, Putin and Erdogan reviewed the course of events in Ukraine, focusing on imports and exports of grain and sea traffic in the Black Sea.

For its part, the Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed that its head of state, in the conversation, endorsed Ankara’s readiness to contribute to the negotiation process between Moscow and Kiev.

President Erdogan reiterated that the war between Ukraine and Russia must stop with a just and lasting peace achieved through talks, and stated that Turkey is ready to contribute in all possible ways to intensify the negotiation process, as it has done so far. Highlights of the statement of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On February 24, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, after the authorities of the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk republics asked Moscow for help in repelling the escalation of aggression and intense bombardment by Kyiv.

Previously, the Russian government recognized the independence and sovereignty of both regions and signed treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with their leaders, which included the establishment of diplomatic relations and military assistance.

In his speech to inform about the start of the operation, the Russian President stated that the goal is to protect the Donbass population from violations and genocide in Kyiv over the past eight years, as well as to “disarm and discredit” Ukraine.

rgh / odf