BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:50 P.M.) – Russian President Vladimir Putin was greeted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Monday, ahead of meetings between the two leaders.

The two leaders shook hands in front of the Turkish Presidential Palace – also known as Ak Saray (“White Palace”) – before heading inside.

The leaders of the two countries are expected to discuss bilateral cooperation, and exchange views over the crisis sparked by US President Donald Trump’s declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.