Erdogan heads to Russia amid improving relations
By Agencies in Istanbul | China Daily | Updated: 2016-08-09 07:45
Visit comes as Turkey' ties with US and EU falter after coup bid
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will head to Russia this week as part of efforts to rebuild relations shattered by the country's downing of a Russian warplane last year - just as its relations with traditional allies the United States and Europe show increasing strain after a failed coup.
Tuesday's visit to St. Petersburg for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be Erdogan's first foreign trip since the abortive July 15 putsch, in which a group of renegade Turkish military officers attempted to seize power using fighter jets, helicopters and tanks in a night of violence that left more than 270 people dead.
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