Putin says pace in development of Turkish-Russian relations ‘maintained’

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - President Vladimir Putin on Monday said pace in the development of relations between Russia and Türkiye is “maintained.”

“The pace of development of relations between Russia and Türkiye, gained with your (Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan) direct participation, is being maintained,” Putin said as he started a meeting with his Turkish counterpart in the coastal city of Sochi.

Putin said trade turnover between Türkiye and Russia increased by 86% last year, and the trend continued in the first of 2023.

He added that he hopes to complete negotiations on the creation of a gas hub in Türkiye “soon.”

“We have made progress, and I hope we will soon complete negotiations on the creation of a gas hub in Türkiye to make the energy situation in the region more stable and balanced,” Putin said.

The Russian leader said Türkiye has become a member of the “international club of nuclear states” after the delivery of nuclear fuel to the Akkuyu nuclear power plant.

“Next year, if everything goes according to plan, we will launch the first unit. There are interesting possible options for continuing our cooperation here,” he added.