Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an interview with a Russian news agency that his scheduled visit to St. Petersburg would open a new page in relations between the two countries that have seen relations deteriorate in recent months. “I see this visit as a new beginning, a new page in relations between the two countries. I would like to send my warmest regards to both Vladimir (Putin) and Russian people on behalf of myself and Turkish nation,” said Erdogan. The Turkish President was speaking on the eve of a meeting with President Vladimir Putin intended to end a period of high tension after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border last November. In response to that incident, Russia imposed trade sanctions on Turkey and the number of Russian tourists visiting the country fell by 87 percent in the first half of 2016.
Senior defense officials speculate that the strained relations between Turkey, Europe and the United States by the fallout from a failed coup, ‘Erdogan may be hoping his trip to Russia will give the West pause for thought.’ Disagreements persist over Syria, where Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad but Ankara wants him ousted. When asked about the Syria conflict, Erdogan stressed that Turkey and Russia could cooperate to help end the fighting: “Let me express this loud and clear. Russia is the most important actor in bringing peace to Syria. I believe that Russia and Turkey should solve this problem by taking joint steps. If we want to expand this cooperation, as I have already said to my dear friend Vladimir, we can include Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United States if we deem necessary and establish a larger platform.”