Putin calls Erdogan, hopes for speedy return to stability

MOSCOW, Russia – Russian President Vladimir Putin called his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday, July 17, describing the attempted coup as unacceptable and voicing hope for a speedy return to stability.

Putin stressed the “categorical unacceptability in the life of a state of anti-constitutional acts and violence” and passed on “wishes for a speedy restoration of strong constitutional order and stability in Turkey,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

Putin also passed on his condolences over the “numerous deaths” during the coup during which 161 troops and civilians were killed as well as more than 100 coup plotters, according to the Turkish government and the military.

The leaders also confirmed plans for a personal meeting “in the nearest future,” the Kremlin said.

The two earlier discussed a meeting in a phone call in late June after Erdogan apologised to Putin for his forces downing a Russian fighter jet on the Syrian border last year.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on July 1 after meeting his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that Erdogan could fly to Sochi in August for a face-to-face meeting with Putin.

The Russian leader also urged Erdogan to guarantee the safety of Russian tourists visiting Turkey, with Erdogan saying that “all necessary steps will be taken,” the Kremlin said.

Moscow responded to Erdogan’s apology over the downed Russian plane by lifting a ban on package tour flights to Turkey, which are crucial to the country’s tourism industry.