Turkish PM Erdoğan and Putin discuss Ukraine crisis, Crimean Tatars and energy

ANKARA

Turkish PM Erdoğan reportedly told Russian President Putin that Turkey attached great importance to the Tatars’ wellbeing and security CİHAN Photo

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday discussed the turmoil in Ukraine and the situation in Crimea, including the Crimean Tatars, as well as energy ties.

Erdoğan reportedly told Putin that Turkey attached great importance to the Tatars’ wellbeing and security, underlining Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Abdülcemil Kırımoğlu’s recent visit to Ankara and emphasizing the importance of dialogue between all sides.

The Crimean Tatars largely opposed Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine last month and boycotted the secession vote.

In a telephone call that lasted 25 minutes and initiated by the Turkish side, Erdoğan and Putin also discussed bilateral ties between the two Black Sea nations, including in the energy sector.