Putin and Erdogan Discussed Improving Russian-Turkish Relations

The Presidents of Russia and Turkey confirmed their desire to expand cooperation "in all spheres." A month before that, relations between Moscow and Ankara were tense. Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a telephone conversation on Sunday, January 2. During the conversation, the Presidents of the Russian Federation and Turkey announced that they intend to deepen cooperation between their countries. Until recently, relations between Moscow and Ankara were tense, including because of the conflict over Ukraine. Putin and Erdogan "confirmed their intention to further intensify the mutually beneficial partnership between Russia and Turkey," according to a statement issued by the Kremlin's press service following the conversation. The Turkish presidential administration noted that the parties discussed "steps to improve Turkish-Russian relations" and confirmed their desire to expand cooperation "in all spheres." Disagreements over Ukraine In early December, Putin, in a conversation with Erdogan, criticized the sale of Turkish combat drones to Ukraine. The President of the Russian Federation said that drones can be used against separatists in the Donbass. Erdogan rejected the claims, saying that Ankara is not responsible for the way Kyiv uses drones. In turn, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu accused Moscow of making "unilateral" demands to NATO. As an example, Cavusoglu called Moscow's condition to exclude a formal opportunity for Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Alliance. DW