Erdogan-Putin meeting widely covered in US media

By Esra Kaymak Avci

WASHINGTON (AA) – U.S. media on Tuesday widely covered the meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin as both met for first time in St. Petersburg since ties deteriorated last November.

The New York Times used the headline, Putin and Erdogan, Both Isolated, Reach Out to Each Other, while claiming both leaders wanted to publicly "display" to the West that their ties have not left them isolated.

The news outlet described both leaders as "authoritarian" and claimed that they can shelve their anger if strategic interests are at stake. Even though Turkey-Russia relations were worse since last year, both sides' interests brought them together, according to New York Times.

Tuesday's meeting with Putin was Erdogan's first visit abroad since the July 15 coup attempt and the first visit with Putin since last year.

"Mr. Erdogan’s visit to Russia, his first venture outside his country after a failed coup last month, is draped in symbolism because Turkey’s relationships with the United States and the European Union have eroded significantly," the New York Times claimed.

The Washington Post, on the other hand, stressed that Erdogan called Putin repeatedly as a "dear friend" during a joint press briefing.

It also claimed Turkey getting closer to Russia might be because of "Erdogan's hope to play the Russian card to strengthen his hand in disputes" with the U.S. and EU.

The July 15 coup attempt was conducted by the Fetullah Terror Organization (FETO) under the leadership of Fetullah Gulen, who has resided in Pennsylvania since 1999, according to the Turkish government.

Turkey has requested the extradition of Gulen since the putsch attempt, however the U.S. says it is reviewing the extradition request's formality. The issue has been a dispute between Turkey and U.S.

The Turkish government had also blamed the EU for not having shown enough solidarity with Turkey after the failed coup attempt.

Using The Associated Press' story with the headline, Putin Pledges to Ease Turkey Sanctions During Erdogan Meeting, the Wall Street Journal said Erdogan desired to have Russia's support for a natural gas pipeline called Turkish Stream.

The project plans to carry Russian gas via the Black Sea and Turkey to southeastern Europe.

It added Turkey hoped to become a natural gas hub for Europe.

Turkey-Russia relations were severed last year after Turkey shot down a Russian military jet as it violated Turkish airspace.

Relations between the two countries had remained soured until the issue seemed largely resolved June 29 through a letter and subsequent telephone calls between the countries’ leaders.

Putin gave his support to Turkey over the July 15 coup attempt and said he stood by the elected government, offering his condolences to the victims of the attempt.

On July 22, Russia also lifted restrictions on flights to Turkey, which had been implemented temporarily following the coup attempt, after Turkish officials assured their Russian counterparts that additional security measures were being taken.