Ashgabat – Russian President Vladimir V. Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held an hourlong meeting here on Friday, focusing on a number of issues including the Ukraine conflict and the European actions against frozen Russian assets.
The meeting took place on the margins of the International Peace and Trust Forum, which commemorated the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. The two leaders met in a narrow format without initial delegation presence.
Mr. Erdoğan renewed Turkey’s offer to facilitate peace negotiations, proposing a limited ceasefire targeting energy facilities and ports as a practical first step. “Efforts to end the war with a just and lasting peace are valuable,” he told Mr. Putin, according to Turkish officials. He said Turkey stood ready to host meetings in any format and provide concrete support for ceasefire initiatives.
The leaders also devoted significant attention to what they described as European Union attempts to seize frozen Russian assets. Mr. Putin warned of potential risks to the Bretton Woods system and the broader international financial framework, according to people familiar with the discussion.
Despite their differences on various global issues, the two presidents emphasized the resilience of Turkish-Russian relations.
They noted that their multifaceted partnership allows them to withstand external pressures, confirming there are “no significant problems” in the relationship.
The discussions also touched on developments in Palestine and Syria, as well as the peace process in the South Caucasus.
Mr. Erdoğan’s delegation included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, and intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın.
No specific agreements were announced, though both leaders reaffirmed mutual invitations for future visits. They emphasized that communication channels between Ankara and Moscow remain robust. ///nCa, 13 December 2025 (photo credit – kremlin.ru)