UPDATE - Putin offers Erdogan condolences over terrorist attack in Turkish capital

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM PUTIN

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Speaking in person, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday offered condolences to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan over a terrorist attack in the Turkish capital Ankara that has taken the lives of four people.

In Kazan, Russia, speaking on the sidelines of a BRICS group summit Erdogan is attending as a guest, Putin said: "Dear Mr. President, dear colleagues, we are very glad to welcome you to Kazan. But before we start work, I would like to express my condolences in connection with the terrorist attack. Media reports are coming in about the terrorist attack in Türkiye.”

Putin added that Russia condemns any manifestations of terrorism.

Earlier, on X, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on X that people had been killed and wounded in an attack on the facilities of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in the capital Ankara.

He called on people seeking the latest developments to rely on statements from official sources.

Security forces, firefighters, and paramedics were dispatched to the area.

It was reported that the defense firm's personnel were directed to shelters for security reasons.

Ankara prosecutors have also launched an investigation into the terrorist attack.

Condemning the “heinous attack,” Erdogan said: “We have four martyrs and 14 injured.”

- Palestine issue should be resolved based on 2-state formula

Turning to the international agenda, Putin called the “tragic development” of the situation in the Middle East as "the most pressing issue on the global agenda."

”The principled positions of Russia and Türkiye are very close on these issues. We see a lasting political and diplomatic settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict only on the basis of a generally recognized two-state formula approved by the UN Security Council," he said.

Israel has continued a brutal offensive on Gaza since a Hamas attack last year, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 42,700 people, mostly women and children, have been killed, and over 100,300 injured, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli war on Gaza has displaced almost the territory’s entire population amid an ongoing blockade that has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.

Putin also invited his Turkish counterpart to discuss "regional issues of particular importance" for both countries, designating as such the Syrian peace process and the Karabakh settlement.

”I am also ready to brief you on the situation around the Ukrainian crisis," he said.

Putin thanked Erdogan for accepting the invitation to take part in the BRICS Outreach/Plus format meeting to be held in the city of Kazan on Thursday.

”Your participation in this event will certainly reflect the significant role that Türkiye plays in solving the pressing problems of the modern world," he said.