The talks between Putin and Erdogan in Sochi lasted a little more than four hours: Putin and Erdogan agreed to partially pay for gas in rubles

SOCHI: Presidents of Russia and Turkey Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed gas supplies to Turkey and agreed on its partial payment in rubles. This was announced to journalists by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak on Friday following the results of negotiations between the two leaders.

Putin-Erdogan talks in Sochi lasted just over four hours
Negotiations began around 15:20 Moscow time. Following their results, the heads of state adopted a joint statement and agreed on partial payment by Turkey for Russian gas in rubles

"An important component was discussed, the supply of gas to the Republic of Turkey, which is supplied in a fairly large volume - 26 billion cubic meters annually. During the negotiations, the presidents agreed that we would begin partial gas supplies and payment in rubles," Novak said.

Thus, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, Russia and Turkey are talking about a gradual transition to settlements in national currencies. "At the first stage, part of the supplies will be paid in Russian rubles, this is indeed a new stage, new opportunities, including for the development of our monetary and financial relations," he stressed.

Novak noted that the key area of ​​Russian-Turkish relations is energy, which the leaders discussed in great detail at the talks. He clarified that, among other things, it was about the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant. According to him, the leaders discussed 2023 as a deadline for launching this project. In addition, Putin and Erdogan discussed the functioning of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline.

Following the talks, Putin and Erdogan adopted a joint statement, the agency clarifies, citing a correspondent. This was reported to journalists by one of the organizers of the meeting.

In a statement, the presidents stressed the need to ensure the unimpeded export of Russian grain and to fully implement the Istanbul agreements. The heads of state also noted the importance of maintaining the political unity of Syria and agreed to hold the next meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council between the two countries in Turkey.

In addition, the presidents at the meeting touched upon topics related to finance and the banking sector, and reached agreements in this area, RIA Novosti quotes Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. According to him, the heads of state agreed on a partial payment by Turkey for Russian gas in rubles.

Negotiations between Putin and Erdogan began in Sochi at about 15:20 Moscow time. Before the meeting, Peskov said that the presidents planned to discuss regional problems and bilateral relations, the economy, the situation in Syria and Ukraine, as well as the export of grain from Ukrainian ports. Putin publicly thanked his colleague for his help in resolving the issue of Ukrainian grain exports and assistance in signing the “package agreement”. The document concerns the supply of Russian food and fertilizers to world markets.