Erdogan, Putin Discuss Sustainable Peace in Syria
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The Turkish and Russian presidents' meeting was concluded with a focus on cooperation in different fields, including the military and industrial.
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Erdogan discussed military cooperation with Putin, including the S-400 deal
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the US must leave Syrian soil for Syria's people sooner or later, clarifying that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a final and sustainable peace in Syria.
Turkish media revealed that Erdogan discussed future joint projects between the two countries in different fields, including the military, economic, and industrial.
"We had the opportunity to discuss comprehensively what steps to take in the production of plane engines, what steps to take regarding fighter jets," he said, adding that other measures could include building ships and submarines.
Erdogan and Putin held detailed talks on military cooperation, including the purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense systems that Turkey is wholly committed to.
Turkish broadcaster NTV also reported that the Turkish President told reporters on his return flight to Turkey from the talks that he also proposed cooperation on the construction of two more nuclear power plants, with Putin also suggesting developing platforms for space rocket launches.
It is worth noting that the two presidents met in the Russian city of Sochi on Wednesday, in their first bilateral meeting since March of last year, when they discussed international developments, bilateral ties, the developments in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, and the Caucasus.
Turkish-US relations
Erdogan said he will meet US President Joe Biden at the G20 summit in Rome next month and the UN's climate summit in Glasgow, wherein he will discuss the $1.4 billion Turkey paid for the F-35s, as well as military, political, economic, and commercial relations.
Turkey's President had said earlier that his country's relations with the United States are "not healthy." He also expressed his discontent with the coordination of the US National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, Brett McGurk, with the PKK in Syria. Erdogan said that McGurk is akin to a director of the Kurdish organizations, as he moves around freely with them.
