Russian President Vladimir Putin called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a strong and sturdy leader who is guided exclusively by the interests of his country, RIA Novosti reported.

"He is a sturdy, strong leader who is guided primarily, or perhaps exclusively, by the interests of Turkey, the Turkish people and the interests of the Turkish economy. To a large extent, this explains his position on energy issues and on the construction of the Turkish Stream," Putin said.

Putin noted that Russia and Turkey have many overlapping vectors of mutual interests - in tourism, in agriculture, in the construction sector. According to him, the Turkish side agreed to the creation of a gas hub based primarily on its own interests.

"President Erdogan never allows himself to sit on his neck and be guided by the interests of third countries. But of course he defends his own interests in the dialogue with us. In this sense, Turkey in general and President Erdogan in particular are not easy partners. Many decisions are born in such long and difficult disputes and negotiations. But there is a desire on both sides to reach these agreements. And we usually reach those agreements. In this sense, Erdogan is of course a consistent and reliable partner," Putin said.