Putin Goes to Meet Erdogan

Russia's President Vladimir Putin will meet Turkish counterpart Recep Tayip Erdogan in Ankara today for talks that will affect the Syria and Iraq issue. Erdogan's office said the two leaders “would discuss bilateral relations, as would regional and international issues”, Rel writes.

Turkey has condemned the Iraqi Kurds' referendum on independence, which has been held this week, while Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani has charged him with “ract”. The Kremlin has not effectively condemned the vote, but has stressed the importance of maintaining Iraq's territorial integrity. In Syria, meanwhile, Moscow and Ankara support opposing sides of the conflict. Russia supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces, while Turkey various rebel groups opposing Assad's rule.