Putin hails Russia-Turkey energy ties

MOSCOW - Turkey is a reliable, time-tested partner for Russia and the energy cooperation between the two countries is "strategic", Russian President Vladimir Putin told Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday as they met on the sidelines of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in China.

Putin praised Turkey's role in efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, saying its "special role" in mediation and diplomacy would continue to be in demand.