Turkish president plans on holding discussions with Putin
Date
6/27/2024 7:06:37 AM
(MENAFN) Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has confirmed that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. Fidan stated in an interview with Turkey’s Habertürk TV that Erdogan anticipates a direct meeting with Putin during the summit, with discussions likely to encompass a range of bilateral and regional issues.
Fidan also disclosed that Erdogan has extended an invitation to Putin for a state visit to Ankara, indicating Turkey's interest in further strengthening bilateral ties. He mentioned previous invitations and the timing considerations around elections in both countries as factors affecting the visit’s scheduling.
The SCO summit, scheduled for July 3-4, is expected to provide a platform for Erdogan and Putin to address several pressing matters. These include Moscow’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine and efforts to secure grain shipments through the Black Sea, a region vital for both countries' agricultural trade.
Turkey's role in brokering a grain deal between Russia and Ukraine in July 2022 underscores its diplomatic efforts amid regional tensions. However, subsequent negotiations between Moscow and Kiev faced setbacks earlier this year, highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.
Beyond immediate geopolitical issues, Erdogan and Putin are likely to discuss broader strategic initiatives, such as the establishment of a natural-gas trading hub and progress on Turkey’s Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. Additionally, the upcoming elections in Kurdish regions of Syria may feature prominently in their discussions, reflecting Turkey's regional security concerns.
The anticipated meeting between Erdogan and Putin comes amid a backdrop of evolving geopolitical alignments and regional challenges. As both leaders prepare to engage at the SCO summit, their discussions are poised to shape the trajectory of Turkish-Russian relations and influence regional dynamics in Eurasia.
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