Ukraine, Syria top Erdogan-Putin talks in Sochi

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for talks in Sochi on Friday.

"Despite the current regional and global challenges, the leaders reaffirmed their common will to further develop Russian-Turkish relations," the Kremlin said in a statement after the talks.

The Turkish and Russian presidents agreed to boost their political and economic — both trade and energy — cooperation.

It is the second time the two have met in the two weeks since Turkey helped broker a deal to resume Ukraine's Black Sea grain exports that had been blocked by Russia's invasion. The agreement also allows Russia to export grain and fertilizer.

Earlier in the day, three ships carrying thousands of tons of corn left Ukrainian ports, following the departure of the first vessel on Monday.

In the statement issued after the talks that lasted four hours, Putin and Erdogan emphasized "the necessity of a complete fulfillment of the package deal reached in Istanbul ... including unhindered export of Russian grain and fertilizers.''

They also noted the "key importance of sincere, frank and trusting ties between Russia and Turkey for regional and global stability.''

Kremlin calls on Turkey not to 'destabilize' Syria

A more contentious issue on the agenda was Turkey's planned incursion into northern Syria to target Kurdish fighters.

The plan, announced by Erdogan in May, has drawn criticism from Russia, Iran and the United States.

Russia remains the dominant foreign military power in Syria, and Iran also plays a part in supporting the authoritarian Syrian government.

Ahead of Friday's meeting, the Kremlin called on Turkey not to "destabilize" Syria.

"Turkey has legitimate concerns for security reasons, which we, of course, take into account," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Following Friday's meeting, Erdogan and Putin agreed to "act jointly and in close coordination with each other in the fight against all terrorist organizations."

"The parties confirmed that they attach great importance to advancing the political process" in Syria, the statement said.

Russia and Turkey target economic cooperation

The Kremlin said the two leaders agreed "to meet the expectations of the opposite side in the spheres of economy and energy."

Turkey, a member of NATO, has criticized  Russia's invasion and provided Ukraine with arms, but it has broken with Western allies by not imposing sanctions on Russia.

Amid a major economic crisis, with official inflation hitting nearly 80%, Turkey increasingly relies on Russia for trade and tourism.

Turkey depends heavily on Russia and Ukraine for grain.

Russia accounted for 56% of grain imported to Turkey in 2021, at $2.24 billion, while imports from Ukraine amounted to $861 million.

Erdogan and Putin also discussed natural gas imports to Turkey from Russia.

The two leaders also agreed to switch part of the payments for Russian gas to rubles, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters after the talks.

ab, lo/nm (AFP, AP, Reuters)