An unexpected translation mistake throughout a high-level summit in Sochi gave the impression that Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, announced war on Russia.
The interpreter abruptly said that “there is a war between Russia and Turkey,” which immediately raised doubts considering Turkey’s NATO membership. A statement like that can have broad international consequences.
The stunning announcement didn’t shock Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was there to discuss the crucial Black Sea Grain pact.
After considerable confusion, it was determined that the error was made by the translator instead of Erdogan. The Turkish president clarified, thanking Putin for having invited him to the summit, saying, “The present scenario between Ukraine and Russia…This is the context of this visit.”