MOSCOW, December 14. /TASS/. Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan plays a leading role in settling the situation in the Gaza Strip, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the combined Direct Line Q&A session and year-end press conference.

"I would like to note the significant, leading role of Turkish President Erdogan in the issue of restoring the situation in Gaza," Putin said. "He is certainly one of the leaders of the international community who is paying attention to this tragedy and doing everything to change the situation for the better, to create conditions for long-term peace," the Russian head of state added.

Putin pointed out that Erdogan is "very active in this direction." "God bless him," the Russian president wished his Turkish counterpart.