Putin and Erdogan talk on the phone about the Ukraine war

According to the Kremlin in Moscow and the presidential office in Ankara, Putin informed his Turkish counterpart about the summit meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska last week.

The Russian side thanked Turkey for its support during the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, the statement continued. Issues of economic cooperation were also discussed.

Trump is trying to end the war in Ukraine. To this end, following his meeting with Putin, he also wants to arrange a meeting between the Kremlin leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. A possible three-way summit with Trump, Putin and Zelensky is then on the cards.

Istanbul as a meeting point for Russia and Ukraine?

Ukraine and Russia have negotiated three times in Istanbul since May, but without any results apart from several prisoner exchanges. These were the first direct talks between the warring parties since 2022, meaning that Turkey could also be considered for further meetings.

Putin had already spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the phone on Tuesday. Russia, the USA and Ukraine have also used Saudi Arabia as a meeting place in recent months.