The Turkish president tells in an interview with the American broadcaster PBS that he had “very extensive discussions” with Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SSO) summit in the former Soviet state of Uzbekistan late last week.
Ukraine has in recent weeks recaptured much of its territory from Russian troops, who seem to be fleeing large parts of Ukraine in panic.
“He gave me the impression that he is ready to put an end to this as soon as possible,” Erdogan said. “That was my impression, because the current state of affairs is quite problematic.”
Erdogan maintains good relations with both Russia and Ukraine. As a NATO member, Turkey refuses to join the international sanctions imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. On the other hand, Ankara did deliver military drones to Kiev. The Turkish president also brokered the grain deal between Russia and Ukraine.
