Russia and Turkey Agree to End 'Critical Phase' in Bilateral Relations

The Presidents of Russia and Turkey, after a period of diplomatic tension between the two countries, agreed on Wednesday, July 9, to resume bilateral relations, including the fight against terrorism, and expressed a desire for direct meetings. According to Reuters, relations between Moscow and Ankara soured significantly after a Turkish Air Force shot down a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border last November. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed regret over the incident in a letter to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin this week. The Russian President stated that this letter created suitable conditions to end 'this critical phase' in the relations between the two countries. The governments of Russia and Turkey announced that the two presidents had a constructive phone conversation on Wednesday. The Kremlin stated that Mr. Putin would instruct the Russian government to begin negotiations with Turkey to resume trade relations beneficial for both sides and to lift restrictions imposed on Russian tourists traveling to Turkey. Part of this statement read: 'The dialogue was generally constructive and practical, aimed at reviving a friendly atmosphere for bilateral cooperation in various fields.' Sources from the Turkish presidency also described this conversation as 'very positive and fruitful.' They stated that the leaders of the two countries are expected to meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit to be held in China in September. Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to his Turkish counterpart Erdogan for the terrorist attack at Istanbul's Atatürk Airport, which resulted in at least 40 deaths and over 200 injuries. According to the Russian presidential office, the two leaders emphasized the necessity of closer cooperation between Moscow and Ankara in the fight against terrorism. Putin told Erdogan that he hopes the investigation into a Turkish citizen accused of killing a Russian military pilot who had parachuted to the ground will be conducted impartially. The Turkish government has stated that the Russian fighter jet had entered its airspace, and thus its downing was legitimate. In contrast, the Russian government denied that its aircraft had entered Turkish airspace. The leaders of Russia and Turkey agreed that the foreign ministers of the two countries would meet on the sidelines of a regional summit taking place this week in Sochi to discuss developments in Syria and the expansion of bilateral relations. Russia defends Bashar al-Assad's regime in the Syrian civil war, while Turkey, along with its Western allies, supports opposition forces seeking to overthrow the Syrian leader.