Erdogan-Putin September Meeting: Venue Depends on Schedules and Diplomatic Cadence

The location for the planned meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in September will hinge on the schedules of both leaders and the work of their respective teams. Russia’s involvement remains on the table, and Moscow has not been ruled out as a possible venue. This view comes from a source within the Turkish presidential administration who shared the information with DEA News. The sense from Ankara is that the final decision will reflect the real-world calendars of Erdogan and Putin, plus the ongoing discussions between Turkey and Russia at the ministerial and diplomatic levels. In practical terms, the choice of where to meet will be guided by when both presidents are available and what their government teams decide is logistically simplest and diplomatically prudent, given the broader regional context and the current phase of negotiations. The Turkish side stresses that any announcement will come after careful coordination with Ankara and Moscow, as well as with the various diplomatic channels involved in arranging such high-level talks. Meanwhile, another layer of planning continues at the leadership level in Turkey, where Erdogan remains engaged in a sequence of discussions designed to support stable and constructive dialogue with Russia, and to closely monitor developments around the situation in Ukraine. There is a clear expectation that Erdogan will persist in maintaining direct lines of communication with President Putin as well as with Ukraine’s president, Vladimir Zelensky, to seek ways to advance peace prospects and reduce tension along the front lines. The political leaders are mindful that any progress on Ukraine will influence the broader timeline and outcomes of the September meeting. In this environment, observers note a pattern of bilateral diplomacy that prioritizes face-to-face engagement when possible, while also relying on sustained telephone diplomacy to test ideas, share information, and align on sensitive issues ahead of a formal summit. The exchange of messages between Ankara and Moscow appears to be part of a broader strategy to keep channels open, manage risk, and build a shared understanding that can support constructive negotiations. Some observers have joked about the notion of a “supreme government” framework in Russia, but analysts in Canada and the United States emphasize that the real focus remains on concrete diplomatic steps, verified by outcomes and public statements that reflect a path toward de-escalation and potential settlement. What matters most for policymakers in North America is the progression of talks, the transparency of the process, and the clarity of the commitments being discussed. The September plan is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a practical effort to create momentum in a stalled regional dynamic, with potential implications for energy markets, security arrangements, and regional alignments. As the discussions unfold, the timeline will likely be adjusted to accommodate new developments on the ground, including shifts in Ukraine’s situation, changes in NATO dialogue, and evolving regional security concerns. Analysts expect that any venue decision will balance accessibility for both leaders, the diplomatic symbolism attached to the meeting, and the safety and logistical feasibility of a high-profile summit. For Canada and the United States, the unfolding diplomacy carries implications for regional stability, economic ties, and cooperation on international law and humanitarian concerns. In short, the September meeting remains contingent on the strategic calendars of Erdogan and Putin, the ongoing diplomatic cadence between Ankara and Moscow, and the broader objective of stabilizing a tense regional landscape. The conversations will continue to be briefed publicly only after the decisions are concretized, with attribution to the sources involved in coordinating the schedule and the venues. In the meantime, Erdogan is expected to maintain a steady rhythm of conversations with his Ukrainian counterpart and with Putin, underscoring the central aim of shaping a pathway toward deconfliction and a durable agreement that could ease several flashpoints in the region. (DEA News attribution)