Erdogan 'declares war' on Putin in embarrassing translation gaffe during landmark talks
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan seemingly 'declared war' on Vladimir Putin during their landmark talks in Sochi on Monday
Reuters
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan seemingly “declared war” on Vladimir Putin during their landmark talks in Sochi on Monday.
The major gaffe, which could have sparked conflict between Russia and Nato, was made by the official translator of the event.
Putin, who was brought back to the negotiating table to discuss the Black Sea Grain deal, did not appear to take anger at the remark.
It is not clear whether the translator was Russian or Turkish in origin, but the remark does appear on the official record of the meeting, showing it was the translator and not Erdogan who made the comment.
Putin, who was brought back to the negotiating table to discuss the Black Sea Grain deal, did not appear to take anger at the remark
Reuters
“There is war between Russia and Turkey,” the Turkish-Russian translator said before quickly continuing and correcting themselves.
“The current situation between Ukraine and Russia….This is the backdrop of this visit,” Erdogan told Putin during his opening remarks.
“And your invitation – we are glad to have received this invitation.
“My delegation is glad to have received this invitation.”
During the meeting, Erdogan was told by Putin that Russia is ready to supply up to one million tons of grain at a preferential price through Turkey.
It comes after an arrest warrant was issued for the Russian president from the International Criminal Court over war crimes committed in Ukraine.
The Turkish leader's visit is a rarity as Putin finds himself gradually more isolated over his war with Ukraine.
Putin told the press conference that he had been "cheated" by the West over the grain export deal across the Black Sea.
During the meeting, Erdogan was told by Putin that Russia is ready to supply up to one million tons of grain at a preferential price through Turkey
Reuters
"As usual… it often happens this way with our Western partners, they cheated on us again," he said. "And didn’t do as promised – again."
Erdogan told reporters that Ukraine should soften its negotiating position against Russia in talks and export more grain to Africa rather than Europe.
However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said: "We should not continue to be hostages to Russian blackmail, where Russia creates problems and then invites everyone to solve them.
"It is clear that we will stand in defence of all principled positions, especially regarding sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation."
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