Russian President Vladimir Putin, joined by ministers and representatives of various Russian companies, visited Ankara this week with a busy agenda. He and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed their bilateral gas pipeline project and held a groundbreaking for the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey’s Mersin province, and there were multiple ministerial meetings within the Russia-Turkey High-Level Cooperation Council.
Putin received a majestic welcome on his arrival April 3. Turkey is the first country he visited after his re-election March 18, which many in Russia and Turkey viewed as an expression of deep respect for Ankara.