Putin praises Türkiye’s role in Ukraine talks, lauds regional cooperation with Erdogan
Putin praises Türkiye’s role in Ukraine talks, lauds regional cooperation with President Erdogan
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Türkiye for its mediation efforts in the Ukraine conflict and said he is confident Ankara will continue to play a “special role” in seeking a solution. The remarks came during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.
Putin noted that since May, Istanbul has hosted three rounds of direct Russia-Ukraine negotiations, which he said helped advance several humanitarian issues. He described Türkiye’s involvement as “significant” and “highly valued,” emphasising that Ankara has been instrumental in maintaining a space for dialogue between the parties.
The Russian leader added that he and Erdogan also discussed broader regional matters, including the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caucasus, calling cooperation in these areas “well-established, practical, constructive and based on mutual trust.”
Putin highlighted that regular presidential-level exchanges contribute to a constructive and respectful dialogue in line with good-neighbourly principles. He also pointed to steady growth in bilateral trade and investment, noting a 6.6 percent increase last year and an additional three percent rise in the first half of 2025. Russian firms remain active in Türkiye’s metallurgy and automotive sectors, while Turkish companies maintain a presence in mechanical engineering, woodworking, and metallurgy in Russia.
He cited the intergovernmental commission, which last convened in Moscow in June, as a key driver of economic cooperation. Energy ties, he said, remain “truly strategic,” with uninterrupted natural gas deliveries via the Blue Stream and Turkish Stream pipelines. Putin also praised the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, constructed by Russia’s Rosatom, as a flagship project reflecting the long-term nature of bilateral relations.
Before the formal talks, the Kremlin released footage showing warm exchanges between Russian and Turkish delegations. Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev and Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev greeted their Turkish counterparts, including Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, with handshakes and embraces.
Putin further stressed that political trust between Moscow and Ankara underpins cooperation not only on bilateral matters but also on regional and global issues, where their interests often align.
