Erdoğan meets Putin in Turkmenistan
ASHGABAT
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday during his visit to Turkmenistan's capital for the International Peace and Trust Forum.
The forum marks the U.N. General Assembly's designation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, as well as the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality status.Erdoğan, attending the event on Dec. 11-12, held the bilateral discussion at his hotel following forum activities.
Accompanying Erdoğan were Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, National Intelligence Organization (MİT) chief İbrahim Kalın, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, Foreign Policy and Security Chief Advisor Akif Çağatay Kılıç, and AK Party Deputy Chairman Halit Yerebakan.
According to posts shared by the Turkish Presidency on X, Erdoğan held separate one-on-one meetings with Putin, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhammedov.
Erdoğan also chatted with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ahead of the family photo session.
Earlier, in his adress to the forum, Erdoğan emphasized the importance of global dialogue for peace amid rising uncertainties.
In a time of increasing global uncertainties, Erdoğan stressed the need for nations to commit fully to establishing international dialogue and peace. He outlined Türkiye's aim to create a surrounding belt of peace.
On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Erdoğan voiced hope for its resolution, reaffirming Türkiye's readiness to offer concrete support to diplomatic initiatives for ceasefire and peace, particularly through the Istanbul process.
Erdoğan also participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Turkmenistan’s Neutrality Monument as global leaders convened in Ashgabat for the forum early Friday.
Erdoğan joined other heads of state and government, including Russian President Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, for the event.
Russia welcomes Türkiye's willingness to contribute to Ukrainian settlement
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Russia welcomes Türkiye's desire to contribute to the Ukrainian conflict settlement.
During a press briefing in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's capital, Peskov said Moscow welcomes Erdoğan's remarks on the conflict.
"The Turkish president spoke about Türkiye's readiness and willingness to continue its intermediary activities and contribute to the peace process, which is welcomed by our country," Peskov said.