Ankara plans no sanctions against Moscow
Turkish President criticizes the EU's decision on his country's membership, while it plans to decide on Kiev's request to join the bloc.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (AFP)
Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said that Ankara did not plan to impose sanctions against Moscow to keep the communication channel with Russia open.
"We must act, taking into account the priorities of our country. There must be an actor who can talk to Russia. Who will talk to Russia when everyone is throwing bridges? We are not planning a package of sanctions to leave this channel open," Kalin told CNN Turk.
On another note, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Tuesday the European Union's decision on his country's membership, while it plans to decide on Kiev's request to join the bloc.
Erdogan mentioned that Turkey appreciates the European Union's step in discussing Ukraine's membership and stressed that it will not influence the European Union's decision on whether to accept Ukraine's membership or not.
However, he questioned the EU's concern about Turkey's membership, emphasizing that Turkey has long asked for membership in the European Union, but it has not yet become a member.
Erdogan highlighted that regional peace and stability should be prioritized, and the members of the European Union should show Turkey the same sensitivity that they have shown Ukraine.
