Vladimir Putin: "The issue is acute but it can be resolved. But we can only do that together".
A giant delegation accompanies Erdogan on his Moscow visit. Check out how many ministers and businessmen are walking up the grand staircase of the Kremlin together with the Turkish leader. An irritating sight for Washington indeed.
The impressive delegation walks along the halls of the Grand Kremlin Palace. Waiters dart between the rooms because a minute later they'll be given the go-ahead.
Putin and Erdogan held the major part of the meeting in private. They discussed the situation with the S-400 shipments. Washington is trying to twist Ankara's arms basically trying to make it choose between NATO and Russian weapons.
- How can you comment on the US basically giving Turkey an ultimatum and the way Turkey acts in this situation?
Dmitry Peskov, Putin's Spokesman: "Well, there are few countries that can act independently on their own. Both Russia and Turkey are such countries. The pressure exerted on Turkey is indeed unprecedented. We approve of the tough and unappealable stance President Erdogan has taken. We believe that it's the only way we can establish a free and independent dialogue".
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey: "We've already drafted a road map for the S-400. It's done. But after that, they tell us to abandon all this and refuse to accept our decision? We've made arrangements and signed the contract, of course, we'll keep moving forward. That's our sovereign right. That's our choice. Nobody can make us take it back".
To celebrate the Year of Culture, the Bolshoi Theater produced the Turkish opera, Troy. Erdogan and his ministers cast aside the American allegations that Turkey became a Trojan Horse for the NATO.
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Foreign Minister: "We know their position and they know that we've made up our mind. We've already told them why we had to buy the S-400 from Russia. Because we needed the defense system.”
During Erdogan's protocol speech, his son-in-law, Minister of Finance Berat Albayrak almost fell asleep again. It happened again during the press conference. He only woke up after the Minister of Trade showed his something curious on his phone. It's clear why he's so tired. During the last few months, the Finance Minister has been flying around trying to deal with the economic crisis. The schedule of his Moscow visit is also very busy. It could be clearly seen from the plan the Turkish guards were holding.
Turkey might improve its economy by strengthening its partnership with Russia. The Kremlin opens its doors for the owners of the biggest companies. The Turkish businessmen are welcomed in one of the most solemn halls, the Alexandr Hall and that's a special sign indeed. The businessmen froze when they saw the magnificent hall. Every single one of them reached out for their smartphone cameras and raised their heads. For a moment, the pictures they took here outshined all other photos even the photos of themselves as their phone backgrounds. After taking their seats, they continued to marvel at the glory of the Kremlin.
In the meantime, Putin and Erdogan were walking to the hall and stopped at the door for a second.
The two countries want to increase the commodity turnover up to $100 billion a year. But there are some issues. Turkey wants a full abolition of working visas. During Erdogan's speech, his aide reminded him of something. Putin encouraged to invest in Russia's regions. But one should pay close attention to the regions that Turkey was invited to focus on.
Vladimir Putin: “There is also potential to develop cooperation with the Republic of Crimea. Vacant niches are being quickly filled there, including by foreign investors.”
Leaders and ministers leave every meeting with smiles on their faces at least as long as the cameras are on.
- How's your Russian doing?
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Foreign Minister of Turkey:
- Not bad.
- Are you constantly learning it?
- Sure. Every day. How are you doing?
The Foreign Minister of Turkey who used to learn Russian tried to teach a small lesson to the Turkish Minister of Energy.
Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu: "One question, please".
Even at the talks between the presidents the Turkish leader suddenly refused to put in his interpretation headphone.
Vladimir Putin: "Esteemed Mr. President…"
Despite the warm atmosphere of the protocol part, Putin will later say that they had a rather concrete discussion off screen in which each stood his ground.
Vladimir Putin: “If you think that all our talks were so rosy, that we were just singing praise to each other and talking about achievements alone No, this is not so. We had a business meeting today a specific, business-like, working meeting. Our Turkish partners are fighting for their interests and we — for ours. As for the energy carriers, they are formed by the market, not by Gazprom. It does not just have to do with the price, although it is a very important parameter. It has to do with the stability of Russian gas deliveries. Turkey has signed many gas delivery contracts and by far, not everyone fulfills their contractual obligations. But Russia does that unfailingly in terms of the volumes and prices.”
It seems that this footage captured the fight between the two delegations for the interests of their country. Putin has a detailed conversation with Miller between the meetings. Cavusoglu quickly walks somewhere and proceeds to talk to Lavrov gesturing emotionally. Later, Lavrov calls somebody. What stands out is that the Foreign Minister has a Spartak FC logo on his phone case. The next meeting is held in the Yekaterina Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. It got its name from St. Yekaterina Order. The order was introduced by Peter the Great during the Russian-Turkish war of the early 18th century.
The Defense Ministers of both countries have a conversation. Shoigu suddenly notices that they stand in the way of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. He acts immediately.
It's clear that Syria is the most acute subject of the talks. Before the final press conference, Erdogan carefully studies his speech and marks something. He doesn't trust the pens on the table. He's got a couple of his own in the pocket of his jacket.
- In recent months, you've met very often by any diplomatic standards. and we have heard that you discussed the Idlib situation at each meeting. Judging by what you said earlier, you discussed Idlib today again. Here's my question: Does this mean that you have not managed to fulfill the Sochi agreements on Idlib? If so, what is the problem?
Vladimir Putin: "The Idlib problem is acute. Indeed, we have been unable to reach the parameters that we agreed upon in Sochi so far but I believe that this problem can be resolved. Yes, progress in this area has not been as fast as we would like but there's still progress. All terrorist centers must be eradicated, destroyed, and we will press for it. In order to create conditions for the peace process, we will have to resolve the Idlib zone problem".
After the talks were over, Putin saw Erdogan off to his car. On their way, the Kremlin tour guide briefly tells the Turkish President about the halls he's walking through.
The leaders say goodbye. But judging by the momentum of the meetings, the next one is soon.
Erdogan gets in his car and seemingly began watching the news on TV on his way to the airport.
- Later in the news, we saw that Erdogan would announce the S-400 deliveries in July.
- Right, a lot of curious moments were discussed. I discovered that Turkish workers were the ones who built the large Mercedes Center. And of course, it's rather curious that we build nuclear facilities in Turkey and Turkey builds something here too. As our President said, it's not about who wins the trade balance but rather the people of both countries benefiting from the partnership. It's a good attitude but we still must be vigilant. We remember everything, forget nothing, and will be watching them. Idlib is a great problem that remains. Naturally, we'll have to deal with it sooner or later.
