Erdogan, Putin discuss grain corridor, gas hub

FILE Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Astana on October 13, 2022. (Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / SPUTNIK / AFP)

Presidents Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Vladimir Putin of Russia discussed grain supplies and a potential regional gas hub in Turkey in a phone call on Sunday, both countries said.

Relations with NATO member Turkey are vital to Russia at a time when the West has hit it with waves of economic sanctions, which Ankara has refrained from joining.

Turkey has, however, rejected Russia’s move to annex four Ukrainian regions as a “grave violation” of international law. Ankara has acted as a mediator with the United Nations on an agreement that guarantees grain exports from both Ukraine and Russia, two of the world’s biggest producers.