Russia’s Putin orders start of repairs to relations with Turkey

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the start of measures to normalise trade relations with Turkey on Wednesday (June 29) and said he had spoken to President Tayyip Erdogan about the attack on Istanbul’s main airport.

“I began that conversation by expressing my condolences to the Turkish President and the entire Turkish people following the terrorist attack in Istanbul,” said Putin at a meeting with top government officials.

On Tuesday (June 28), suicide bombers attacked Istanbul’s main airport, killing 41 people and wounding 239.

On Monday (June 27) Erdogan wrote to Putin to express regret about Turkey’s downing of a Russian warplane last year which had led to months of tension.

“Regarding our bilateral relations, I would like to start with tourism, even though this is coming at a moment when we see an upsurge in terrorist activity. But nonetheless, we will lift the restrictions in this area. I ask the Russian Federation Government to begin the process of normalising trade and economic ties with Turkey in general,” Putin added.

Erdogan and Putin are expected to meet before and during the G20 Summit in September, presidential sources in Ankara said on Wednesday.