“Russia is a main, key and very important player in establishing peace in Syria,” Erdogan said in comments translated into Russian. “The problem needs to be solved with help of joint steps between Russia and Turkey. Erdogan's visit to Putin's hometown of Saint Petersburg is also his first foreign trip since the failed coup against him last month that sparked a purge of opponents and cast a shadow over Turkey's relations with the West. Putin was one of the first foreign leaders to phone Erdogan offering support after the coup attempt and shares none of the scruples of EU leaders about the ensuing crackdown. WorldSAINT PETERSBURG, AFP -Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday jetted into Russia for his first meeting with counterpart Vladimir Putin since the two strongmen leaders began healing a bitter feud over Ankara's downing of a Russian warplane.

Source: Sunday Times August 09, 2016 11:03 UTC