Putin, Erdogan hold phone talks to boost partnership, discuss global issues

Europe, Middle East, News January 3, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held phone talks on January 2, agreed to improve bilateral ties.

Both Presidents “Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan wished each other a happy New Year, reviewed bilateral cooperation, and reaffirmed their determination to continue boosting mutually beneficial partnership between Russia and Turkey,” the Kremlin press service said in a statement.

The statement further read that both “parties also touched upon global issues, including the recent proposals on developing legally binding agreements that will guarantee Russia’s security, the situation in the South Caucasus and efforts to resolve the Syrian and Libyan crises.”

According to the Turkish president’s office, both sides “discussed steps to improve Turkish-Russian relations” and reiterated their desire to develop cooperation “in all fields”.

Both leaders also reaffirmed their determination to boost bilateral partnership and agreed to maintain contact.

Last week, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu advised Russia to drop “one-sided” demands and take a constructive approach in a deadlock with the U.S. and NATO countries over the Ukraine issue.

Earlier in December 2021, Russia criticized Ukraine for deploying Turkish-made drones in conflict with pro-Russia separatist forces. In response, Turkey said that it cannot be blamed if Ukraine uses Turkish drones, and added that if a country purchases Turkish weapons, it belongs to that particular country, and no longer remains the Turkish product.