"The most serious test." Erdogan uses negotiations between Ukraine and Russia for election campaign - Reuters

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan uses success in negotiations between Ukraine and Russia for the election campaign, Reuters reports. In particular, an agreement on the restoration of grain exports from Ukraine. The publication notes that a series of diplomatic victories gives Turkish President a break from economic difficulties in Turkey and offers a plan of his election strategy in the election, which will take place in 2023.

Preparing for the fact that today's situation will be the "most serious test" in the elections for the whole time of his almost 20-year-old rule, the President emphasizes his achievements on the world stage. Progress at the international level contrasts with a gloomy economic picture inside the country, where inflation has increased to 79%and Lira is near the record minimums achieved during the last currency crisis in December.

At the same time, opponents have accused Erdogan for unorthodox economic policy, including a series of interest rates, despite high inflation, and the dismissal of three central bank executives since 2019, resulting in a major current account shortage and depends on external funding to support the economy. Erdogan stated that the fruits of the government's economic policy - the priority of export, production and investment - would become more obvious in the first quarter of 2023.

On August 6, Erdogan stated that his country is ready to negotiate President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Earlier, Bloomberg wrote that Russia is considering Turkish President Recep Taiip Erdogan as a potential mediator in negotiations with Ukraine.