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

UPDATES WITH FURTHER STATEMENTS BY RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, EDITS THROUGHOUT

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 this suggests that they have brought bilateral relations to "a very good, high level," which affects all areas of interaction between the two countries.

He further said trade turnover between Türkiye and Russia increased by 86% last year, and the trend continued in 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.

Putin said they are moving "very confidently" in the field of energy, and that agreements have been reached between suppliers and consumers in both countries.

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.

Putin said he will also discuss Ukraine, the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Syria, and Libya with his Turkish counterpart.