Turkey: Erdogan’s Phone Call With Putin ‘Very Productive’

ANKARA (Reuters) —
FILE - In this file photo taken on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose for the media before their talks during the G-20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey. Putin ordered the deployment of long-range air defense missiles to a Russian military base in Syria and Russia‘s military said it would destroy any target that may threaten its warplanes following the downing of a Russian military jet by Turkey. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, file)
In this 2015 file photo, Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose for the media before their talks during the G-20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, file)

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday was “very productive and positive,” Turkish presidential sources said, adding that a written statement would be made shortly.

The phone call was arranged after Erdogan expressed regret in a letter to Putin on Monday over Turkey’s downing of a Russian warplane last year, although the Kremlin later sought to dampen Turkey’s hopes for a swift restoration of normal relations.

During the call, both leaders expressed a determination to revive mutual relations and fight against terrorism, Erdogan’s office said in a statement.

The two also agreed during their call to meet in person, Erdogan’s office said, adding that “necessary steps” should be taken to revive relations.

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