Putin and Erdogan hold talks in Tianjin

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday on the sidelines of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China.

The Russian President thanked Türkiye for its mediation efforts in the Ukraine conflict and voiced confidence that Ankara will continue to play a “special role” in finding a solution.

He recalled that since May, three rounds of direct Russia-Ukraine talks have been held in Istanbul. According to the Russian leader, these negotiations allowed the sides to move forward on several humanitarian matters.

"Our focus is also on topics of common interest, such as the Middle East, North Africa and Transcaucasia. Russian-Turkish cooperation in all these areas is well-established, concrete, useful and, I would say, trusting," Putin said.

He underlined that cooperation with Türkiye in these areas is “well-established, concrete, useful and trusting.”

Energy cooperation was described by Putin as “truly strategic.” He also highlighted continued growth in trade and investment between the two countries.

The Turkish leader, in turn, emphasized the strong ties between the two nations.

"We have a sincere relationship based on trust between us. Our relations are progressing without being affected by conjunctural challenges," Erdoğan said.

He invited the Russian president to visit Turkey.

"We are expecting you in our country at the earliest opportunity," Erdogan said to Putin.