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Kremlin, Moscow
Kremlin, Moscow
Earlier in the day, Erdogan's letter of congratulations to Putin on occasion of Russia Day emerged, in which the Turkish leader expressed hope that the Moscow-Ankara relations would rise to the deserved level.
"Dear Mr. President. On behalf of the Turkish people, I congratulate all Russians on Russia Day, and hope that the relations between Russia and Turkey reach the level they deserve [to be at]," the note read.
"The letter came through the foreign ministry channels," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Russian-Turkish relations deteriorated following the downing of a Russian Su-24 aircraft by a Turkish F-16 fighter in Syria on November 24, 2015.
Russia's retaliatory measures against Ankara include restrictions on the activities of Turkish organizations in Russia, prohibiting Russian employers from hiring Turkish citizens and a ban on certain food imports, including oranges, tangerines, tomatoes, apples, peaches, strawberries and most poultry products.
"the level they deserve to be?" leaves a lot of room for interpretation. In Erdogan's mind it might not even imply a need for any change.