Turkish President Erdogan “declares war” on Russia thanks to an interpreter error in front of a surprised Vladimir Putin

Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan appeared to be dramatically declaring war on a surprised Vladimir Putin when they met today.

The Russian dictator appeared momentarily confused when the interpreter mistranslated the Ankara president’s opening speech at a summit in Sochi.

“There is a war between Russia and Turkey,” said the Turkish-Russian translation of Erdogan’s statements.

Turkey is a NATO country, so such a war would engulf the whole world.

“The current situation between Ukraine and Russia… That is the background of this visit,” Erdogan said, making it clear that he wanted to act as broker of the grain deal to feed the world’s poorest nations.

The Russian dictator appeared momentarily stunned when the interpreter translated the Ankara president’s opening speech at a summit in Sochi. “There is a war between Russia and Turkey,” said the Turkish-Russian translation of Erdogan’s statements

The translation continued: “And your invitation – we are pleased to have received this invitation.”

Telegram broadcaster Crimean Wind called an “epic blunder” by the official interpreter at the summit between Turkey, a NATO member, and Russia

“And your invitation – we are pleased to have received this invitation.” “My delegation is pleased about this invitation.”

Telegram broadcaster Crimean Wind called an “epic blunder” by the official interpreter at the summit between Turkey, a NATO member, and Russia.

It was unclear whether the male interpreter was Russian or Turkish.

The official records of Erdogan’s statements show that he didn’t make the mistake – it was the interpreter’s mistake.

For an isolated Putin, ostracized for his bloody war with Ukraine, it was a rare visit from a foreign leader.

Russia is ready to deliver up to a million tons of grain at preferential prices to the poorest countries via Turkey, the dictator said.

It was unclear whether the male interpreter was Russian or Turkish. The official records of Erdogan’s statements show that he didn’t make the mistake – it was the interpreter’s mistake (pictured here: Putin looks at Erdogan after the interpretation error)

For an isolated Putin, ostracized for his bloody war with Ukraine, it was a rare visit from a foreign leader. Russia is ready to deliver up to a million tons of grain at preferential prices to the poorest countries via Turkey, the dictator said

Erdogan, 69, agreed to a trip to Russia after Putin, 70, refused to travel abroad to Turkey.

Some say this is due to paranoia over the war crimes arrest, others say he suffers from hidden health issues.

Putin used his press conference to claim he had been cheated by the West over the Black Sea grain export deal – a well-known allegation.

“As always… it often happens with our western partners, they betrayed us again,” said the dictator. “And didn’t do what was promised – again.”