Putin closes ‘crisis chapter’ with Turkey

Moscow is lifting travel restrictions on Russian tourists visiting Turkey after a period of diplomatic tension with plans to resume “mutually advantageous” trade relations. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he asked his government to begin “the process of normalising general trade and economic ties with Turkey”, fixing badly strained relations since Ankara […]

Moscow is lifting travel restrictions on Russian tourists visiting Turkey after a period of diplomatic tension with plans to resume “mutually advantageous” trade relations.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that he asked his government to begin “the process of normalising general trade and economic ties with Turkey”, fixing badly strained relations since Ankara shot down a Russian warplane taking part in Moscow’s military campaign in Syria last year.
The development came days after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed regret for the downing of the Russian jet in a letter this week to Putin.
The Russian leader said the letter created conditions to close “this crisis chapter” in bilateral relations.
On Wednesday, Putin and Erdogan held a “constructive” telephone conversation, according to the Kremlin
Erdogan is expected to meet with Putin in September on the sidelines of the forthcoming G20 summit in China.