Meeting with older students at a Turkish university, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu discussed his efforts to learn Russian, saying he has even gotten good enough to share a joke with Putin.

Cavusoglu said his dedication to learning Russian comes from a desire not to break the educational environment, even after leaving university and entering politics. He also indicated that he hoped to one day complete his doctorate.

Following his speech, Cavusoglu was presented with hand-knitted sweaters made by several of the students. The politician was so impressed he tried one on on stage, announcing that it suited him well.

As Washington ramps up pressure against Turkey, Ankara has become increasingly close to Moscow. Cavusoglu met Putin last August in the Kremlin, where he invited the Russian leader to Ankara on behalf of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.