Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Astana, Kazakhstan, during the 24th Heads of State Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Welcomed by Kazakh officials at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, Erdoğan engaged in talks with Putin, highlighting the progress in Türkiye-Russia relations.
Putin emphasized, “Despite global challenges, relations between Russia and Türkiye are developing step by step.” He noted the annual trade volume of $55 billion and the record of 6.7 million Russian tourists visiting Türkiye last year, expressing gratitude for the favorable conditions provided.
Erdoğan acknowledged the ongoing strategic projects, including discussions about the Sinop Nuclear Power Plant, and aimed to increase the trade volume to $100 billion. He reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to hosting Russian tourists and extended an invitation to Putin to visit Türkiye, which Putin accepted.
Accompanying Erdoğan on this visit were Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, and Trade Minister Ömer Bolat.