Putin to give Erdogan 'thank you' call, say sources

By Mumin Altas

ANKARA

Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Wednesday will give Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a “thank you” telephone call, according to Turkish presidential sources, just one day after Erdogan wrote Putin a conciliatory letter following months of strained ties.

According to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking with the media, Putin will telephone Erdogan at 12.00 noon Turkish local time (0900GMT).

Speaking live Monday on state broadcaster TRT, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that the two leaders would talk soon.

Also on Monday Erdogan sent a letter to his Russian counterpart calling for the restoration of “traditional friendly ties" and expressing “deep sadness” over last year’s shooting down of a Russian warplane which violated Turkish airspace.

“I would like to send my condolences to the family of the pilot who lost his life and express one more time that I share their pain. I am saying to his family: 'Excuse us'," said presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, quoting Erdogan’s letter.

Following the November 2015 downing of the Russian warplane in Turkish airspace, the Kremlin ordered sanctions on food products, an end to visa-free travel, and a ban on Russian tourists taking package holidays in Turkey.

*Anadolu Agency correspondent Servet Gunerigok contributed to this story from Ankara.