Amidst a bustling international calendar, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan disclosed on Monday his expectations for an in-person encounter with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September.
Detailing the prospects of their meeting, Erdogan remarked, “Both the G20 summit in India and the United Nations General Assembly in the US are taking place in September.” Despite the demanding international schedule, Erdogan emphasized the value of such a tête-à-tête. “Should an opening emerge in this packed timeline, a face-to-face with Putin is on our agenda,” he confirmed.
Highlighting another significant diplomatic move, Erdogan alluded to a forthcoming visit to Russia by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. This visit is speculated to focus on a critical grain deal, a topic of mutual interest for both nations. “A direct dialogue on the grain agreement is of utmost importance,” Erdogan observed, suggesting that “Such an engagement could pave the way for mutually beneficial outcomes.”
Further demonstrating Turkey’s active diplomatic role, Erdogan voiced optimism that Putin, alongside Ukraine’s Zelensky, would consider Turkey’s offer to mediate the current Ukrainian crisis, underscoring Turkey’s strategic position in the geopolitical landscape.
