Turkey, Russia leaders in first contact since plane crisis

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a letter to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin marking Russia's national day, in their first contact since Ankara downed a Russian warplane in November, an official said Tuesday. The letter was the most significant in a series of signals from Ankara in recent weeks that it is keen to repair ties that plunged to historic lows after Turkey shot down the Russian war plane on November 24. "We confirm media reports the president sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the occasion of the Russian national day," the official said, referring to the Day of Russia marked on June 12.

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