Following a Sunday phone call, the Kremlin reported that Presidents Erdogan and Putin discussed trade and other global issues.
After a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan committed to boosting trade between their nations.
Erdogan’s office issued a statement indicating that they discussed bilateral relations and international matters. Erdogan expressed his aim to enhance cooperation with Russia, particularly by increasing trade volume.
The Kremlin’s statement corroborated this, noting that the presidents addressed several international topics and stressed the need for improved trade and economic collaboration.
Despite Türkiye’s NATO membership and EU aspirations, Erdogan has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict. Beyond hosting peace talks in 2022, Türkiye facilitated the now-defunct Black Sea Grain Initiative and resisted US pressure to sanction Moscow.
Türkiye is the world’s third largest importer of Russian crude oil, and Russia is Türkiye’s most significant import partner, according to World Bank data.
However, reports suggest Türkiye has partially yielded to US demands, curbing exports of certain dual-use goods to Russia in recent months, according to the Financial Times. The US has sanctioned about 20 Turkish companies since last year for allegedly supplying such goods to Russian entities linked to its defense industry.
Dual-use refers to items with both civilian and military applications.
Meanwhile, Türkiye continues to supply Ukraine with weapons, including drones and small arms. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently told Hurriyet that these weapons are used against Russian military personnel and civilians, questioning Türkiye’s commitment to mediation given these actions.
“This situation cannot but cause surprise, given the Turkish government’s statements that it is ready to provide mediation,” Lavrov added.
Since Russia’s military operation in Ukraine began in February 2022, Erdogan and Putin have met several times. Their most recent conversation took place at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October. Ankara’s September application for full BRICS membership marked the first such move by a NATO state.
Lavrov stated to Hurriyet that Russia supports Türkiye’s application and expanding BRICS ties to nations prioritizing multilateralism, independent foreign policy, and opposing unilateral sanctions.