They also held a separate meeting to discuss the conflict in Syria – despite their divergent views. Russia, which is conducting a bombing campaign in support of Mr Erdogan’s foe President Bashar al-Assad, transformed the balance of the Syrian civil war last September by intervening militarily, to Turkey’s consternation. The meeting would be followed by talks by higher level officials, he said, adding that the two countries had a mutual understanding on a number of issues. “We may have a different outlook on how the cease-fire should be implemented”.
Advertisement
“Your visit today, which you made despite the really complex domestic political situation in Turkey, shows we all want to restart our dialogue and restore our relations”, said Putin, addressing Erdogan.
In contrast with his criticism of the USA and the EU, Erdogan heaped praise on Putin for offering support after the coup, saying: “We are strongly determined to take our relations to the pre-crisis and even higher level”. “We don’t find the Aleppo siege to be appropriate”.
Putin told Erdogan that he hoped Ankara could fully restore order after a failed military coup last month, saying Moscow always opposed unconstitutional actions.
“If the USA does not deliver [Gulen], they will sacrifice relations with Turkey for the sake of a terrorist”, Bozdag said during a televised interview, adding it is up to the United States to prevent anti-American sentiment in Turkey from turning into hate.
Gulen’s lawyers last week said Turkey has not provided any evidence to prove he was involved. -Turkish ties, with some Turkish officials implying Washington could have been behind the coup.
While ties with Russian Federation can’t substitute Turkey’s economic and security cooperation with the US and the European Union and its membership in NATO, Erdogan clearly hopes to use the Russian Federation card to strengthen his hand in disputes with his Western partners. Gulen, who has lived in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied allegations that he orchestrated the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey. The Obama administration has strongly denied that.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pressed the United States to extradite the man he claims was behind the failed insurrection, and has sought more funds and visa-free travel from the European Union, but it’s unclear what leverage improved ties with Russian Federation could give him. Ankara also lashed out at the EU for failing to uphold its end of an EU-Turkey agreement on migration. “We are doing it for our own interests and for the interests of the region”.
Advertisement
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday after talks with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin that the two nations can rebuild their damaged ties and make them even closer, promising to back major energy projects with Russian Federation.
