Erdoğan meets Putin in Sochi

Photo: AA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday (August 5) visited his counterpart Vladimir Putin in Russia's Sochi in what was their second meeting in 17 days after a trilateral summit in Iran's capital of Tehran.

In the four-hour meeting, the two leaders discussed several issues, including grain exports from Ukraine, which resumed this week after a deal brokered by Türkiye and the United Nations and the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, which is being constructed by Russia's Rosatom, as well as the conflict in Syria and Libya, according to a joint written statement issued after the meeting.

The leaders did not hold a joint press before or after the meeting.

The statement made no mention of Türkiye's intentions to carry out a new military offensive in the Kurdish-controlled parts of northern Syria, but reiterated Ankara and Moscow's commitment to the country's territorial integrity.

"Stressing the significance they attach to the preservation of Syria's political unity and territorial integrity, the Leaders reaffirmed their determination to act in coordination and solidarity in the fight against all terrorist organizations," said the statement.

Before heading to Sochi, Erdoğan had told reporters, "I believe that our handling of the developments in Syria on this occasion will also bring relief to the region."

Also ahead of the meeting, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had said Türkiye's possible military incursion would be among the topics to be discussed in the meeting.

"Türkiye has legitimate security concerns. We are definitely taking these into account," he had said, however, adding, steps to increase instability in Syria should be avoided.

Since late May, Erdoğan has expressed his willingness to start a new military intervention, but both Russia and the US, as well as Iran, have opposed the idea.

Ukraine grain deal

About the deal to secure grain exports from Ukraine's ports, the leaders "acknowledged the role that constructive relations between the two countries played in the conclusion of the Initiative on the safe transportation of grain and foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports."

"The two leaders underscored the need to ensure, in letter and in spirit, the full implementation of the Istanbul agreement, including the unimpeded export of Russia's grain, fertilizer and raw materials stocks needed for its production."

Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed a deal on July 22 to reopen three Ukrainian ports — Odessa, Chernomorsk, and Yuzhny — for grain that has been stuck for months because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which is now in its sixth month.

To oversee Ukrainian grain exports, a joint coordination center in Istanbul was officially opened on July 27. The center comprises representatives from Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine to enable the safe transportation by merchant ships of commercial foodstuffs and fertilizers from Ukraine's Black Sea ports.

First grain ship sailed from Ukraine on August 1 as part of the deal, and three more set off for İstanbul for inspections on Friday. (VK)