Putin’s planned visit to Türkiye rescheduled

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s much-awaited meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Türkiye sees a sudden delay

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expected visit to Türkiye has been postponed.

The meeting, originally scheduled for Feb. 12 according to a Turkish official who spoke to Reuters last week, is now anticipated to take place at the end of April or in early May.

This development comes amidst ongoing preparations for a high-level discussion between Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The delay was attributed to unspecified regional developments. 

The meeting will mark Putin’s first visit to a Western and NATO country since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Thus, the visit is gaining international attention, especially as Türkiye played a pivotal role in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, facilitating critical grain exports from Ukraine.

While not officially confirmed, the agenda is expected to encompass discussions on a proposed natural gas hub in Türkiye and the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

The visit held particular significance for NATO members and the broader international community, occurring just days before the second anniversary of the Ukraine conflict.

Despite skepticism from the U.S. and Western countries, there is anticipation regarding potential outcomes, particularly concerning the revival of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. This initiative, crucial for global food security, faced a setback when Russia suspended its participation in July 2023.

Source: Newsroom