Erdogan, Putin discuss Kakhovka incident
3 Min Read
During a phone call on Wednesday, the Presidents discussed the need to investigate the recent blast according to the Turkish President's office.
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Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine on Thursday, February 3, 2022. (AP)
According to the Turkish President's office, the President and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone regarding the need to investigate the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP), as well as the situation in Ukraine.
Read more: 7 missing in Kakhovka after the destruction of power plant: Mayor
The statement detailed that the two presidents spoke of developments in the Russian-Ukraine war. Additionally, Erdogan said it was crucial to investigate the matter in a way that "eliminates any doubt. "
He expressed that Russian and Ukrainian experts should form a commission along with the United Nations and the international community, emphasizing that Turkey is ready to play a role.
The President's office also detailed how Erdogan also discussed the matter with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine was blown on Tuesday by shelling unleashing a flood of water across the war zone.
Reports warned that the critically rising water levels could threaten 80 local settlements and that the damage to the dam will also lead to problems with water supplies to Crimea.
In a statement, the Turkish Presidency detailed that "Erdogan expressed the idea of creating an international commission with the participation of experts from the belligerents, the UN and Turkey," as quoted by TRT Haber TV broadcaster.
The Russian President disclosed to Erdogan that Ukraine utilizes terrorist methods and sabotage in Russia, according to the Kremlin.
Putin added that Ukraine is engaging in dangerous escalation backed by the West. He referred to the destruction of Kakhovka HPP as a "barbaric act" that led to a giant ecological disaster.
Both presidents emphasized their commitment to the continued implementation of collaborative initiatives in energy, trade, and tourism, and they pledged to keep in touch.
Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said on Wednesday that the United States, the United Kingdom, and their NATO allies authorized the attack on the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant (HPP) and should be held responsible.
In a meeting with a Belarusian counterpart in Minsk, Patrushev stated that the US "cannot say who is responsible for blowing up the hydroelectric power plant. At the same time, it is known for certain that the activities of the Ukrainian armed forces are coordinated by the United States, the UK, and their NATO partners. Accordingly, they gave their consent to the explosion and should be held responsible for this cynical act."
