Erdogan and Putin to discuss Syria at Sochi meeting

Erdogan will hold talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Sochi.

The visit comes amid reports of potential sticking points in Turkey’s planned purchase of a Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system.

Turkish-Russian economic relations will also be on the table during the visit.

A Russian-sponsored Syrian peace congress had caused concern in Ankara ahead of the visit. Moscow was reported to be planning to invite the PYD/YPG to the Syrian National Dialogue Congress.

However, Turkey’s presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin has said the congress has now been postponed and the PYD/YPG will not be invited, following strong objections by Turkey.

Turkey considers the PYD and its armed wing, the YPG,  to be the Syrian branch of the PKK, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US, and the EU.

The PKK has been waging an armed campaign against the Turkish state for several decades. Ankara says the increasing presence of the PYD/YPG in northern Syria is a security threat to Turkey.