Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he believes Russia’s leader is seeking an end to the war he began in Ukraine, and that a «significant step» will be made, informs British broadcaster BBC.
Erdogan said his impression from recent talks with Vladimir Putin was that he wanted to «end this as soon as possible».
Erdogan spoke of having «very extensive discussions» with Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Samarkand, which will run from 15-16 September.
The Turkish leader also indicated that these are difficult times for Putin and things are «quite problematic» for Russia.
In an interview with US broadcaster PBS, the Turkish leader said he gained the impression that the Russian president wanted a speedy end to the war.
«He is actually showing me that he’s willing to end this as soon as possible,» Erdogan said. «That was my impression because the way things are going right now are quite problematic.»
He also said 200 war hostages would soon be exchanged between the two sides. He gave no further detail of who would be included in such a prisoner swap.
Last week the Russian leader said he was open to meeting the Ukrainian president, but that Zelensky was not.
Durin the summit Putin told India’s prime minister he wanted to end the conflict «as soon as possible».
It is also expected that 200 hostages would soon be exchanged between Russia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Turkish president was asked by PBS whether Russia should be allowed to keep any territory it had taken since February, and whether that should be part of a peace deal, Erdogan said: «No, and undoubtedly no.»