Putin speaks to Greek Orthodox patriarch in Istanbul

MOSCOW

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone with Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Dimitri Bartholomew as part of a two-day visit to Turkey, the Kremlin stated on its official website on April 3. 

Bartholomew congratulated Putin “on his victory in the presidential election and wished him a happy Easter,” read the statement, naming the religious leader the “Patriarch of Constantinople.”

“The president of Russia conveyed to Bartholomew I best wishes from Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia and expressed special gratitude for his constant efforts to support unity of the Orthodox world,” it read.

“Vladimir Putin went on to highlight proactive social and charitable activity by the Patriarch of Constantinople, specifically his major contribution to enabling the Russian-speaking community in Turkey to satisfy its religious needs,” it added.