Top Turkish official visits Russia to talk Syria, Iraq and Ukraine

Senior Turkish diplomat Feridun Sinirlioğlu is visiting Moscow for talks with Russian officials on a number of issues, including Syria, Iraq and Ukraine.

During his visit on Dec. 21-22, Sinirlioğlu, the Foreign Ministry undersecretary is meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Deputy Foreign Minister Grigori Karasin, the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement on Dec. 22.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Ankara on Dec. 1, during which time he announced that Moscow was scrapping the South Stream gas pipeline that was set to pass through Bulgaria, offering instead a pipeline through Turkey.

Soon afterwards, the European Union voiced concern and expectations that Turkey would join sanctions against Russia due to Moscow's interference in Ukraine.