Putin prepares for Turkey visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning a trip to Turkey, as confirmed by the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, with the date yet to be disclosed. Local media have suggested February 12, but President Erdogan’s office has not confirmed this. Turkey would be the first NATO nation Putin visits since ordering the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The upcoming discussions between the two leaders are expected to cover energy issues, the Gaza war, Black Sea trade, and the Syrian conflict. Turkey and Russia have conflicting views on the Kurdish PKK forces in Syria. Since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin in 2022, his international travel has been limited, but Turkey is not a signatory of the ICC.