The return of the prodigal friend

Relations of Russia and Turkey returned to the pre -crisis level. According to Gazeta.ru, Vladimir Putin stated this at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a meeting of the heads of two states in St. Petersburg.

Putin described negotiations with the Turkish leader as constructive.

According to Anadola, the head of the Russian state also announced his intention to phased to cancel the sanctions previously imposed against Turkish firms.

In addition, Putin promised to consider the resumption of charter flights to Turkey. Ankara provided guarantees of security for Russian tourists, he noted.

Along with this, the Russian leader said that Turkey’s leadership made political decisions both regarding the project of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline and on the construction of Akkui nuclear power plant in Ile Mersin on the Mediterranean Coast.

Erdogan, according to RBC, in his speech at a press conference called Putin "dear friend."

Earlier on Tuesday, Hürriyet Daily News reported with reference to some sources in diplomatic circles that Erdogan in his June letter Putin really apologized for a blow to Russian Su-24 in November last year. The letter was written in Russian, claims the publication, and it contained the word "sorry". The press secretary of the Turkish leader Ibrahim Kalyn prepared a document with the participation of translators, as well as employees of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Ankara.

The other day, Erdogan said that the West belongs to Turkey with prejudice. In addition, he noted that "in the matter of respect and ensuring democratic rights and freedoms, Türkiye is not in any comparison with the countries of the European Union."

“Without the participation of Russia, it is impossible to find solutions to the Syrian problem,” the Turkish leader also said. “Only in cooperation with Russia can we resolve the crisis in Syria.”