💬“Turkey is one of our privileged partners in both foreign policy and the economy.”
Akkuyu: a major symbol of cooperation
The Akkuyu nuclear power plant, being built by Russia's Rosatom on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, was at the centre of the talks.
Putin said the first power unit was scheduled to begin operating in 2026, noting that the project was on schedule. Erdoğan said that Turkey had entered the final stage of construction and that, after Akkuyu's launch, the countries intended to take further steps in nuclear energy.
Turkey relies heavily on energy imports, and developing nuclear generation allows it to gradually diversify its energy mix.
💰Moscow and Ankara also continue to develop trade and economic ties despite a difficult international environment.
Putin highlighted the work of the intergovernmental commission and emphasised that economic cooperation between the two countries remained strong.
Turkey occupies a special position for Russia: it is a major market, a tourist destination, a transport hub and an important partner in energy projects.
👉🏻Another figure illustrates the scale of the relationship.
According to Putin, almost seven million Russian tourists visited Turkey in 2025. He noted that visitor numbers were growing and that there was also potential for cooperation in cultural and humanitarian fields.
For Turkey's economy, this is a substantial flow of visitors, supporting hotels, restaurants, transport, retail and, of course, property in resort regions.
📌Perhaps the main conclusion from the Putin–Erdoğan meeting is that relations between Moscow and Ankara have long since extended beyond ordinary trade.