Erdogan and Putin Conduct Telephone Conversation
Following a phone call on Sunday, the Turkish president and his Russian counterpart have reached an agreement to enhance bilateral trade. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Turkish president and his Russian counterpart discussed trade and other “international topics,” according to statements from the Kremlin.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has committed to enhancing trade flows between Türkiye and Russia after a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.
Following the call, Erdogan’s office issued a statement indicating that the leaders discussed “Türkiye-Russia bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues.” Erdogan expressed his intention “to further the cooperation between Türkiye and Russia in many areas, particularly by expanding the trade volume” between their nations.
The Kremlin echoed this, noting that Erdogan and Putin addressed “a number of international topics” and highlighted the need to enhance trade and economic cooperation.
Despite being a member of the US-led NATO alliance and aspiring to join the EU, Erdogan has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict. Türkiye hosted peace talks in 2022 and facilitated the now-defunct Black Sea Grain Initiative, while resisting US requests for economic sanctions against Moscow.
Türkiye ranks as the third-largest buyer of Russian crude oil globally, with Moscow being its most significant import partner, as per World Bank data.
However, Türkiye has reportedly acquiesced to some of Washington’s requests, such as restricting the export of certain ‘dual-use’ goods to Russia in recent months, according to the Financial Times. The US has blacklisted around 20 Turkish firms since last year following multiple rounds of sanctions, claiming these companies supplied goods to Russian parties connected to the defense sector.
The designation ‘dual-use’ refers to items that can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
Simultaneously, Türkiye continues to deliver arms to Ukraine, including drones and small weapons. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked to Turkish newspaper Hurriyet earlier this month that these arms “are used by the Ukrainian armed forces to kill Russian military personnel and civilians.” Lavrov further stated, “This situation cannot but cause surprise, given the Turkish government’s statements that it is ready to provide mediation.”
Erdogan and Putin have met on several occasions since the onset of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, with the most recent discussion occurring at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October. Türkiye announced in September that it had formally applied for full BRICS membership, becoming the first NATO member to do so.
Lavrov commented to Hurriyet that Russia would support Türkiye’s application and is in favor of strengthening ties between BRICS nations and those “who share a focus on strengthening multilateral principles, pursue a sovereign foreign policy, and do not join unilateral sanctions.”
Anna Muller for TROIB News
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has committed to enhancing trade flows between Türkiye and Russia after a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.
Following the call, Erdogan’s office issued a statement indicating that the leaders discussed “Türkiye-Russia bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues.” Erdogan expressed his intention “to further the cooperation between Türkiye and Russia in many areas, particularly by expanding the trade volume” between their nations.
The Kremlin echoed this, noting that Erdogan and Putin addressed “a number of international topics” and highlighted the need to enhance trade and economic cooperation.
Despite being a member of the US-led NATO alliance and aspiring to join the EU, Erdogan has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict. Türkiye hosted peace talks in 2022 and facilitated the now-defunct Black Sea Grain Initiative, while resisting US requests for economic sanctions against Moscow.
Türkiye ranks as the third-largest buyer of Russian crude oil globally, with Moscow being its most significant import partner, as per World Bank data.
However, Türkiye has reportedly acquiesced to some of Washington’s requests, such as restricting the export of certain ‘dual-use’ goods to Russia in recent months, according to the Financial Times. The US has blacklisted around 20 Turkish firms since last year following multiple rounds of sanctions, claiming these companies supplied goods to Russian parties connected to the defense sector.
The designation ‘dual-use’ refers to items that can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
Simultaneously, Türkiye continues to deliver arms to Ukraine, including drones and small weapons. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked to Turkish newspaper Hurriyet earlier this month that these arms “are used by the Ukrainian armed forces to kill Russian military personnel and civilians.” Lavrov further stated, “This situation cannot but cause surprise, given the Turkish government’s statements that it is ready to provide mediation.”
Erdogan and Putin have met on several occasions since the onset of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, with the most recent discussion occurring at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October. Türkiye announced in September that it had formally applied for full BRICS membership, becoming the first NATO member to do so.
Lavrov commented to Hurriyet that Russia would support Türkiye’s application and is in favor of strengthening ties between BRICS nations and those “who share a focus on strengthening multilateral principles, pursue a sovereign foreign policy, and do not join unilateral sanctions.”
Anna Muller for TROIB News
