Sochi Meetings Between Putin and Erdogan: Translation Slip and Diplomatic Context
A slip of the tongue occurred during the talks in Sochi between the presidents of Russia and Turkey, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This update comes via the Telegram channel You listened to Mayak, which reported the moment in question.
During Erdogan’s remarks to Putin, the translator apparently misphrased a critical point, suggesting that Russia and Turkey were at war. The translator stated, in error, that the conflict existed between Russia and Turkey, then clarified it as a war between Ukraine and Russia instead.
Prior to Putin’s remarks, there were indications that the agreements Erdogan helped broker for resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict had faced skepticism and dismissal in Kiev. Putin noted that the Turkish leader has consistently placed significant importance on finding a political settlement to the Ukrainian crisis.
Putin also emphasized that the discussions, held in a constructive and commercially oriented atmosphere, covered a broad range of important bilateral and regional issues. The tone reflected a readiness to explore cooperation and practical avenues for interaction between the two nations.
The Sochi talks took place on September 4 after 1:00 p.m. local time, with the Russian president arriving first and meeting his Turkish counterpart in person. Putin was accompanied by key figures, including the Rosatom head, Alexei Likhachev, and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. At the outset, the two leaders exchanged greetings, shook hands, and engaged in brief initial conversations before moving into more formal discussions.
Earlier statements from Kiev regarding the conditions for negotiations with Russia framed the broader diplomatic context, highlighting the fragility and high stakes of continued diplomacy in the region. The meeting in Sochi underscored the ongoing interest of both Moscow and Ankara in maintaining channels of dialogue, even amid tensions and contested narratives around the war in Ukraine. [citation: Mayak Telegram channel]