Ailing Erdogan Reemerges At Virtual Ceremony With Putin

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on April 27 reemerged from a two-day absence and spoke by video link with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a virtual ceremony to unveil a Russian-built nuclear power plant. The 69-year-old leader suspended all campaigning for Turkey's May 14 election after getting sick two days ago with a gastrointestinal illness that forced him to stay home instead of traveling to the grand opening of Turkey's first nuclear power plant. Putin praised Erdogan's leadership during the virtual ceremony and said Moscow was "always ready to extend the hand of friendship" to Turkey.