Putin to visit Turkey in February, according to a Turkish official

Russia's President Vladimir Putin will visit NATO member Turkey to meet with President Recep Tayip Erdogan on February 12th, a Turkish official announced on Wednesday.

This will be Putin's first visit to a NATO member state since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Putin's chances of travelling abroad have been limited since March last year, when the International Criminal Court (GJNP) issued an arrest warrant against him in connection with allegations that he sent Ukrainian children to Russia, described as a war crime.

Russia has denied these accusations and named it an insult to the JNP decision, but has said the arrest warrant is certainly legally invalid, as Russia is not a member of the JNP.

Turkey is not a JPS member either, so Putin can travel towards Turkey without fear of being arrested.

Turkey has been aiming to maintain good relations with Moscow and Kiev since Russia invaded Ukraine.

It has given military support to Ukraine and has raised its voice for its territorial integrity, but has also rejected sanctions against Russia in principle.

Ankara is trying to persuade Russia to return to the so-called Black Sea Initiative for Mothers, which Moscow withdrew in July last year, ending exports protected by Ukrainian ports during the war.

Erdogan has said that alternatives to this agreement cannot provide long-term solutions. / REL