Erdogan Offers Fresh Promise to Putin
The presidents of Turkey and Russia have reached an agreement to enhance bilateral trade following a phone conversation on Sunday. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Turkish president and his Russian counterpart discussed trade and other “international topics,” as stated by the Kremlin.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has committed to enhancing trade relations between Türkiye and Russia following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.
In a statement issued after their conversation, Erdogan’s office indicated that he and Putin addressed “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 the two nations.
The Kremlin echoed this sentiment, confirming that the leaders talked about “a number of international topics” while emphasizing “increasing the effectiveness of trade and economic cooperation.”
Despite Türkiye being a member of the US-led NATO alliance and aspiring to join the EU, Erdogan has maintained a neutral stance regarding the Ukraine conflict. Türkiye hosted peace talks in 2022 and facilitated the now-defunct Black Sea Grain Initiative, while resisting US pressures to impose economic sanctions on Moscow.
Türkiye ranks as the world’s third-largest purchaser of Russian crude oil, with Moscow recognized as its most significant import partner based on World Bank data.
Reports suggest that Ankara has complied with some of Washington’s requests, including restricting the export of specific 'dual-use' goods to Russia in recent months, according to the Financial Times. The US has sanctioned approximately 20 Turkish companies since last year for allegedly supplying such goods to Russian entities associated with the nation’s defense sector.
The term ‘dual-use’ pertains to equipment and components that have both civilian and military purposes.
Simultaneously, Türkiye continues to deliver weapons systems to Ukraine, including drones and small arms. In an interview with Turkish newspaper Hurriyet earlier this month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked that these arms “are used by the Ukrainian armed forces to kill Russian military personnel and civilians.”
“This situation cannot but cause surprise, given the Turkish government’s statements that it is ready to provide mediation,” Lavrov added.
Erdogan and Putin have met multiple times since Russia commenced its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. Their most recent discussion took place during the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October. In September, Ankara announced its formal application to become a full BRICS member, marking the first NATO country to do so.
Lavrov indicated to Hurriyet that Russia would support Türkiye’s application and is in favor of strengthening ties between the BRICS group and nations that “share a focus on strengthening multilateral principles, pursue a sovereign foreign policy, and do not join unilateral sanctions.”
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has committed to enhancing trade relations between Türkiye and Russia following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.
In a statement issued after their conversation, Erdogan’s office indicated that he and Putin addressed “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 the two nations.
The Kremlin echoed this sentiment, confirming that the leaders talked about “a number of international topics” while emphasizing “increasing the effectiveness of trade and economic cooperation.”
Despite Türkiye being a member of the US-led NATO alliance and aspiring to join the EU, Erdogan has maintained a neutral stance regarding the Ukraine conflict. Türkiye hosted peace talks in 2022 and facilitated the now-defunct Black Sea Grain Initiative, while resisting US pressures to impose economic sanctions on Moscow.
Türkiye ranks as the world’s third-largest purchaser of Russian crude oil, with Moscow recognized as its most significant import partner based on World Bank data.
Reports suggest that Ankara has complied with some of Washington’s requests, including restricting the export of specific 'dual-use' goods to Russia in recent months, according to the Financial Times. The US has sanctioned approximately 20 Turkish companies since last year for allegedly supplying such goods to Russian entities associated with the nation’s defense sector.
The term ‘dual-use’ pertains to equipment and components that have both civilian and military purposes.
Simultaneously, Türkiye continues to deliver weapons systems to Ukraine, including drones and small arms. In an interview with Turkish newspaper Hurriyet earlier this month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarked that these arms “are used by the Ukrainian armed forces to kill Russian military personnel and civilians.”
“This situation cannot but cause surprise, given the Turkish government’s statements that it is ready to provide mediation,” Lavrov added.
Erdogan and Putin have met multiple times since Russia commenced its military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. Their most recent discussion took place during the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October. In September, Ankara announced its formal application to become a full BRICS member, marking the first NATO country to do so.
Lavrov indicated to Hurriyet that Russia would support Türkiye’s application and is in favor of strengthening ties between the BRICS group and nations that “share a focus on strengthening multilateral principles, pursue a sovereign foreign policy, and do not join unilateral sanctions.”
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
