President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke by phone with President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
During the call, the two leaders agreed on Mr. Putin’s visit to Türkiye. Extending his thanks to his counterpart for the 2 amphibious firefighting aircraft dispatched by Russia for Türkiye’s fight against wildfires, President Erdoğan voiced his pleasure over Russian tourists’ increasing interest in Türkiye and expressed his belief that, through collective efforts, a record will be broken in tourism this year.
Stating that during the Russia-Ukraine war, steps that may escalate tension should not be taken, President Erdoğan underlined the importance of the Black Sea Initiative, which he regards as a “bridge of peace”.
Pointing out that the long-term shutdown of the Black Sea Initiative will not be for the benefit of anyone and that the low-income countries in need of grain will suffer the most, President Erdoğan emphasized that grain prices, which decreased by 23 percent during the implementation period, has increased by 15 percent in the last two weeks.
President Erdoğan also noted that Türkiye will continue to exert intense efforts and diplomacy for the continuation of the Black Sea Initiative.
