***Russia's leader said grain shipments started thanks to Türkiye, the UN.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hails Türkiye's constructive role as he says Europeans "should be grateful to Türkiye" for receiving natural gas.

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met his counterpart Putin in the Russian resort Sochi today.

The two leaders are expected to cover regional and international issues in addition to the dialogue between Ankara and Moscow.

Ahead of the bilateral meeting, Putin said: "Consumers in Europe should be grateful to Türkiye for receiving natural gas from Türkiye."

"Grain shipments started thanks to Türkiye and the United Nations. Russian food products and Russian fertilizers were sent to the world markets," said Putin, referring to the agreement regarding the safe grain shipment through the Black Sea.

Describing the grain issue as a "sensitive issue" for developing countries, Putin underscored: "All these countries adopt the decisions we make."