Erdogan emphasizes "special relationship" with Putin amidst political tensions.

Turkish President Erdogan has praised his "special" relationship with Russian President Putin ahead of the presidential election runoff. Erdogan's rival, Kilicdaroglu, has vowed to repair strained diplomacy with the West and recalibrate Ankara's relationship with Moscow to be "state-driven." Erdogan has accused his rival of seeking to "detach" Turkey from Russia. Erdogan has emerged as a key powerbroker between Russia and Ukraine, adopting a crucial balancing act between the two sides.