INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
ties, as Russia's isolation grows following its intervention in Ukraine.Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine and the possible launch of a
new operation in Syria were expected to dominate the talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi."I hope that today we will be able to sign a
relevant memorandum on the development of our trade and economic ties," Putin said."I believe that (today's meeting) will open a whole
different page in Turkish-Russian relations," Erdogan said for his part.Putin also thanked Erdogan for helping orchestrate the resumption of
Ukrainian grain shipments."Deliveries have already begun, I want to thank you both for this and for the fact that at the same time an
accompanying decision was made on uninterrupted supplies of Russian food and fertilizers to world markets," Putin said.The Russian leader
also praised the TurkStream natural gas pipeline project, saying Europe should be grateful to Turkey for uninterrupted supplies of Russian
gas.Putin and Erdogan were expected to hold talks and a working lunch but no joint press conference.Putin and Erdogan last met for a
three-way summit in Iran in July.At the time Putin told Erdogan that Russia remained opposed to any new offensive that Turkey might be
