Erdogan congratulates Putin on Russia Day

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated his Russian counterpart on Russia Day, marked on June 12 as the national holiday commemorating the proclamation of Russia’s sovereignty.
Presidential sources told Tuesday Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity due to the restrictions on speaking to media, that Erdogan sent a congratulatory message to Vladimir Putin on the occasion of Russia Day.
In the message sent on Sunday, Erdogan wished for the Turkish-Russian relations to “rise to the level they deserve” in the future, sources said.
Separately, Prime Ministry sources said Prime Minister Binali Yildirim also sent a congratulatory message to his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Russia Day.
Following the downing of a Russian fighter jet on Nov. 24 after it had violated Turkish air space despite multiple warnings from the Turkish military, relations between the two countries soured rapidly, kicking off some Russian economic measures against Turkey, including a ban on food imports.